Forestry Commission Wales Management Plan Report
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Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract ForestryDRAFT Commission Wales Management Plan Report Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Management Planner: Mr Mark Potter Page 1 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract Section A Introduction Section B Contacts used in the Plan Section C General Description Section D List of Sub-compartments Section E Management Features Section F Plan of Operations Operations Summary Grant Summary Section G Appendices Operation Details Information from External Sources List of Stakeholders & Consultees Document List Section H Maps Page 2 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract Section A - Introduction This Management Plan forms part of the Contract for BWW Case ref 17144 and describes the management necessary to achieve your long term objectives. The Management features describe the detailed management for a particular area and objective. The linked operations are designed to achieve the targets set for each feature. The whole of the plan area has been mapped using sub-compartments to provide a snapshot of the trees and stands present. The sub-compartments with other mapped areas are also used to inform the plan of operation and feature locations. This report is designed to provide a detailed view of the plan contained in the G&L online application. If you wish to access your application online you will need to log-on to the case if already registered or register online and inform the FC that you need to access your cases. Section B - Contacts used in the Plan NB unless your planner is your agent or has been named as a case viewer they will not have access to the case once approved Contact Role Contact Name Main Applicant Mr Matthew Williams Address Brecon Beacons National Park Plas y Ffynnon Roles: Applicant Cambrian Way Contract Signatory Brecon Powys LD3 7HP Phone 01874 624437 Email [email protected] Contact By Email Agent Mr Mark Potter Address WOODBINE COTTAGE GROSMONT ABERGAVENNY Roles: Agent MONMOUTHSHIRE Case Management Planner NP7 8EP Phone 01981 241350 Email [email protected] Contact By Email Page 3 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract Section C - General Description This section gives a general description of the woodlands as they are at the time of writing the Management Plan. Total Plan Area The total area covered by this plan is 15.46 hectares. Description Carreg Cennen woodlands enclose Carreg Cennen Castle to the westerly, southerly and easterly directions. They form a large part of the Carreg Cennen SSSI, are for the most part listed on the provisional register of ancient woodlands, and (apart from 1a) share a boundary with Carreg Cennen Local Nature Reserve. The woodlands are part of the Carreg Cennen Castle Historic Landscape. A distinctive feature of the woodland is the abrupt change from NVC W8e to W11a as the substrate changes from calcareous limestone to Devonian sandstone moving from west to east, giving rise to the description "Coed Sgitsoffrenig". To the south of the castle the woodlands are precipitously steep and the ground surface covered by a fine limestone scree. To the west the oakwoods are open with litle understorey, though some group planting has taken place at various times. History There has been some group planting of individually protected trees over the last 20 years. There has clearly been a long history of sheep grazing over most of the site; this has had its most marked effect in the oak woodland where little regeneration has occurred and the ground flora has become dominated by bracken. Canopy closure in this woodland is only 70 - 80%. Context The site lies entirely within the Brecon Beacons National Park. The woodlands extend in an easterly direction in a branching continuum of mixed woodland for several kilometres. Elsewhere the site is surrounded by pasture, much of which is part of the SSSI and consist of several grasssland communities depending on the acidity and dampness of the ground. The castle itself is a major tourist attraction. Long Term Policy The lack of age variation, regeneration and structural diversity in the oak woodland will have been addressed and a full range of size and age classes will ultimately be exhibited. Page 4 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract The deadwood habitat will continue to be abundant commensurate with the needs of safety on this high public access site. The two woodland communities (W8 and W11) will continue to be distinct and each will display a ground flora typically associated with these woodland types. The rare Sorbus spp will be safeguarded. Bat roosting and foraging sites (both in mature treees and the cliffs/caves) will be avoided during all work and protected from damage. Public usage will be increasing, attracted by the improved access facilities along the new circular track and rest stops at the new benches. Stock will be excluded from the whole site and fences will all be in good order. The minor archaeological sites (as opposed to the castle itself) will be undisturbed by silvicultural and recreational activities. Recreation will continue to be encouraged on this site, though always bearing in mind the potential risks to the vaulable biodiversity of this site. Page 5 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract Section D - List of Sub-compartments These are the sub-compartments on the property; and are a snapshot of the property at time of plan production. All area is contained in these sub-compartments. The locations can be seen on the sub-compartment map. Compartment: 1 Scpt: a Area: 0.15 ha Components: 3 Status: Native Woods Site Type: Upland mixed ashwoods Wood Name: Car Park Wood Description: Streamside woodland next to car park Component Land Use % of Area Species P.year Yield Class DBH Vol. 1 Canopy 60 Ash 1950 4 25 .3 2 Canopy 20 MIXED NATIVE BROADLEAVES 1950 2 14 .5 3 Open Ground 20 Open Ground Total Area: 0.15 ha Compartment 1 includes 1 sub-compartments; total area 0.15 ha Page 6 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract Compartment: 2 Scpt: a Area: 6.02 ha Components: 5 Status: Native Woods Site Type: Upland mixed ashwoods Specialist Assessments: Ecology Assessed; Wood Name: Ash wood Description: Dense ashwood with some thorn areas and open ground; includes several very rare tree species. Component Land Use % of Area Species P.year Yield Class DBH Vol. 1 Canopy 60 Ash 1900 4 24 .15 2 Canopy 15 Woody Shrubs 1940 2 15 .02 3 Understorey 35 Woody Shrubs 15 .02 4 Open Ground 15 Open Ground 5 Canopy 10 MIXED NATIVE BROADLEAVES 1940 2 15 .02 Total Area: 6.02 ha Scpt: b Area: 5.07 ha Components: 2 Status: Native Woods Site Type: Upland oakwood Specialist Assessments: Ecology Assessed; Wood Name: Wood pasture Description: Former grazed area now invaded by bracken Component Land Use % of Area Species P.year Yield Class DBH Vol. 1 Canopy 50 Sessile Oak 1900 4 55 1.5 2 Open Ground 50 Open Ground Total Area: 5.07 ha Page 7 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract Compartment: 2 Scpt: c Area: 4.22 ha Components: 4 Status: Native Woods Site Type: Upland oakwood Specialist Assessments: Ecology Assessed; Wood Name: Oak wood Description: Denser area of oaks but little understorey Component Land Use % of Area Species P.year Yield Class DBH Vol. 1 Canopy 85 Sessile Oak 1900 4 55 1.5 2 Canopy 5 Common Alder 1900 2 25 .2 3 Open Ground 10 Open Ground 4 Understorey 5 Hazel 10 .01 Total Area: 4.22 ha Compartment 2 includes 3 sub-compartments; total area 15.31 ha Total Plan Area is 15.46 hectares Page 8 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract Section E - Management Features Management Features are statements covering the management of particular areas for a particular objective. The Long Term Vision is the desired end result of management. The General Approach is how the desired end result will be achieved. The Operational Priorities are the management actions which are needed in the plan period. Desired characteristics and factors are things in the woods which can be measured and monitored to ensure that management is succeeding. This will normally be monitored at plan review but in a small number of instances some monitoring work will be needed in the plan period. Summary of Management Features Feature Name Location Category Objective Condition Coed Sgitsoffrenig 1a 2a 2b 2c Native woodland improve ecological Unfavourable recovering condition High conservation status 2a 2b 2c Important BAP species and Improve BAP habitat Unfavourable recovering Non woodland Habitats condition class Public access 2b 2c Public Access,recreation Create high quality High level of usage and Tourism facilities Page 9 of 37 Case Ref: 17144 Property Name: Carreg Cennen Generated Date: 22-JAN-10 06:53 AM Case Status: Draft Contract Feature Name Location Category Objective Condition Coed Sgitsoffrenig 1a 2a 2b 2c Native woodland improve ecological Unfavourable condition recovering Long Term Vision The woodland will continue to be a valuable woodland offering considerable wildlife and landscape benefits.