Long term intentions

The main objective at Pen y Coed is to restore/convert the planted woodland (currently dominated primarily by conifer stands) to native woodland dominated by a variety of broadleaved species and with shrub and field layers typical of the existing semi-natural woodland that already exists in parts of the site. This will be achieved through a process of successive thinning, retaining a continuous canopy so that the landscape value of the woodland is maintained and conditions favoured by woodland species are maintained throughout. Due to the lack of suitable management access the majority of the timber will be felled to waste.Existing broadleaved trees will be retained along with other features characteristic of semi-natural woodland (for example patches of vegetation typical of semi-natural ancient woodland). This approach will result in a gradual overall change resulting in full restoration/conversion to native woodland over a period of decades. A predominantly native canopy should be achieved within 20-30 years with restoration/conversion complete (ie: almost all conifers removed) within 50 years. Some selected individual, and groups of conifers, will be retained for their lifetime for aesthetic reasons.

In areas of semi-natural broadleaved woodland the main objective will be to maintain a semi-natural woodland, dominated by a diversity trees and shrubs ( with sycamore at a level where it does not significantly suppress shrub and field layer vegetation) with a rich and varied field layer typical of upland ash and oakwoods. This will be achieved by managing the woodland as continuous cover high forest through periodic light thinning to favour species encouraging the development of large over-mature trees.

Throughout the woodland, in both semi-natural and replanted woodland, invasive non-native shrubs, cherry laurel and rhododendron, will be controlled and ideally eradicated.

With regard to the many walls and revetments which are considered to be of historical importance at the site, efforts will be made to prevent deterioration in their condition. Selected representative sections of wall and revetment (particularly retaining walls) will be actively maintained and repaired as necessary.

The amenity value of the site will be maintained and enhanced. The existing network of paths will be maintained in a good safe condition with improvements being made and retaining walls/revetments repaired as necessary. The internal landscape of the site will be retained/enhanced through the retention of 'feature trees' and the development of future veterans Efforts will be made to broaden the site’s use by the public, to reduce site misuse through community involvement and deter unauthorised access.The internal landscape value will be enhanced through the retention of feature conifer and broadleaf trees.