Save our beautiful Newborough Forest

More than 15,000 members of the public have signed our petitions asking for Newborough forest to be given the protection it deserves and protected in its entirety for future generations to enjoy. If fully implemented the current 2010-2015 Forest Management Plan could lead to all of the most popular & important for tourism areas being devastated.

 'Natural Resources Wales' unique concept of conservation !

Transforming excellent mobile dunes from this:

Attempting to create large scale sand movement:

To this (NRW Newsletter PR image, Jan. 2015):

Destroying significant areas of fixed dune habitats.

NRW have destroyed significant sections of excellent mobile dune habitat in the foredunes. Large slacks in the fixed hindshore dune zone have been completely stripped of their characteristic vegetation.
This is a unique interpretation of conservation and protection of dune habitats. The public do not consider these actions appropriate and they are against the wishes of significant numbers of the local community.

Assessment of the Welsh Governments - 'Newborough:  
Review of proposals 2013-2015' being used to justify this work.

   

Despite extensive Public opposition, 'Natural Resources Wales' are now transforming ....
 
      THIS                                            TO THIS?

 

 

 

 


Newborough News 9 - Trial felling information


Assessment of the 2010-2015 Forest Management Plan

Recent developments : 

13-3-2015 Assessment of Welsh Governments Review of proposals 2013-2015 produced.
11-2-2015

NRW press release - Restoring Newboroughs Sand Dunes

1-11-2014 Newborough News Issue 10 published - Welsh Government concludes Scientific Review.
15-5-2014 Newborough News Issue 9 published informing the wider public of the trial felling.
1-4-2014

Iolo Williams attacks NRW as 'disaster' for conservation

16-10-2013 Natural Resources Wales Board Meeting update
2-10-2013

This letter received via Rhun Ap Iowerth AM explaining the Welsh Governments position.

12-9-2013 NRW press Release - Work to improve Dunes to begin. ( see our comments on this)

11-9-2013

'Natural Resources Wales' held a public meeting confirming the trial felling plans in Newborough.

5-9-2013

Public Awareness Meeting: " NEWBOROUGH FOREST - the FUTURE " held at Eglwys Bach, Newborough, to better inform the public about 'Natural Resources Wales' felling proposals for the Forest.

1-4-2013

From 01 April 2013, 'NATURAL RESOURCES WALES' have taken over the functions currently carried out by the Countryside Council for Wales and Forestry Commission Wales.

29-10-2012

Update giving 'Current Scenario' regarding the proposed felling at Newborough Forest.
( see -
Current Scenario - Sept 2012 )

5-07-2011

Public Notice put in the local papers to inform the public about what could happen to Newborough Forest & to direct them to this website for further information.

26-04-2011

Assessment of current Forest Management Plan clearance proposals produced & sent to: Albert Owen MP, Ieuan Wyn Jones AM ( see - Assessment NFMP )

see - Latest News for more information

 

 

Significant Developments
since Summer 2013

Summary of controversies at Newborough since 2004

   

WHY DO WE NEED TO SAVE NEWBOROUGH FOREST?

This is a coastal forest in an area of outstanding natural beauty. The intimate link to tranquil beaches & the sea, and views of Snowdonia mountains & the Lleyn peninsula, combined with a rich diversity of flora & fauna, make it a unique & popular destination for visitors throughout the year. It is a haven in poor and fair weather. It has the second largest raven roost in Europe and is a refuge for the protected native red squirrel.

It is enjoyed by over half a million people every year including:

  • Holiday makers
  • Residents
  • Walkers, bicyclists & horse riders
  • School children for outdoor learning
  • Researchers from Universities
  • Bird watchers and naturalists

It has provided a very desirable location for films: the Demi Moore romantic thriller 'Half Light' and most recently 'Clash of the Titans'.

It brings enormous socio-economic benefits to the area and contributes to the overall tourism industry of the Island, which is estimated to be worth £100 million.

Threat of Climate change makes it important to:

  • Save our Forests, more so on Anglesey, which has especially low woodland cover
  • Take holidays locally, avoiding long distance or foreign travel

The Welsh Assembly Government, which owns Newborough Forest, stresses in its plans to transform to a low carbon future, the retaining of carbon in forests and soils.

see also Red Squirrels Trust Wales
( The first reintroduction of Red Squirrels took
place in Newborough forest during 2004-2007.)

WHY IS NEWBOROUGH FOREST UNDER THREAT?

'Natural Resources Wales', which the former Countryside Council for Wales are now part of, believes that the forest is undermining the conservation status of the adjoining dunes that are protected under the EU Habitat Directive. The CCW were recommending clear felling of 60 acres of the forest in the autumn of 2009 but through protests by the general public and a lot of hard work by the Newborough Forest Protection Group, this felling has since been put on hold. This was to be followed by a further removal of some 600 acres, i.e. 40% of the forest, over the next few years. This would leave the remnant forest at least half a kilometer from the beach and mean eventual felling of over 100,000 trees.

This belief is not shared by all. The forest ecosystem has established itself over the last 60 years and is now an important amenity asset for all. CCW's assessment of the status of the dunes is being challenged by other scientists. Greater transparency from CCW is being demanded by the community. EU Habitats Directive requires that social, economic and cultural benefits to the local and wider community are taken into account when planning conservation measures.
For more information see
More...