3/7/2002

The Caerphilly woodlands have today been spectacularly saved from further development thanks to the work of the newly-established Caerphilly Woodlands Trust and other local partners.

It was confirmed at a public meeting last night at the Twyn Community Centre in Caerphilly that a Forestry Commission bid to purchase the woodlands had been successful and the Commission had entered into an agreement with the Caerphilly Woodlands Trust that they would manage the woodland along with other local partners, for the benefit of the community and the local environment.

The Commission has also made a commitment to protect the area from any future development and to restore those areas of ancient woodland and to convert existing coniferous woodland to native, broad-leaves. This also secures the future of the site as a prominent wildlife habitat and therefore, the welfare and protection of many rare species including Dormice, Nightjars, adders and rare amphibians.

The public meeting had originally been called to establish and gain support for the Caerphilly Woodlands Trust. However, with the confirmation of the accepted offer for the woodland, Caerphilly AM Ron Davies was able also to announce that the future of the site had been secured.

The site has, in the past, been under threat of development. Some years ago there had been a controversial application to develop an open-cast mining site within the vicinity of the woodlands.

The area has also been the subject of some speculation in recent months concerning commercial and housing developments.

Speaking of the meeting and recent developments, Ron Davies said: “This is great news for Caerphilly and a significant ‘coup d’etat’ for the Caerphilly Woodlands Trust. There can be no better way to launch the Trust than to have news that the future of the site is at last safe and that we now have a mandate to work with the Forestry Commission, the local Council and other bodies.

“We must now ensure that the woodland is maintained as an area of beauty and enjoyment for all the people of Caerphilly and to manage and maintain its rich bio-diversity. I hope now that the community will get behind the Trust and fully involve itself with its work. This is the start of a very valuable partnership with a duty to the community and the environment. It is a great day for Caerphilly and a triumph for our community.”