En-Plan have been working with the owners of a new forestry site to submit a planninng application to obtain a new access point.
Introduction
Cefn Ystrad Ffin forest is situated on the slopes to the North-East of Rhandirmwyn village in the upper reaches of the Tywi Valley.
The local area is characterised as the Tywi Valley Historic Landscape, a distinct area well defined by conifer plantations, enclosed grazing and higher elevation semi-enclosed land.
The Tywi Valley Historic Landscape is a region in Wales known for its rich cultural heritage, stunning scenery, and historical significance. Located in Carmarthenshire, the valley follows the course of the River Tywi, Wales' longest river, which flows from its source in the Cambrian Mountains to Carmarthen Bay.
Key Features of the Tywi Valley Historic Landscape:
1. Castles and Historic Sites
Dinefwr Castle – A spectacular medieval ruin with connections to the Welsh princes of Deheubarth.
Carreg Cennen Castle – A dramatic hilltop fortress offering stunning views.
Llandeilo & Llandovery – Historic market towns with medieval connections.
Paxton’s Tower – A folly overlooking the valley, built in honor of Lord Nelson.
2. Natural Beauty
The River Tywi itself is known for its meandering course, fertile floodplains, and woodlands.
Dinefwr Park – A National Trust site featuring ancient deer parkland.
Brechfa Forest – A popular spot for walking, cycling, and wildlife watching.
3. Agricultural & Cultural Heritage
The valley has been an important agricultural area for centuries, with traditional Welsh farms and historic estates.
Rich in myths and legends, particularly connected to the Welsh princes and medieval conflicts.
4. Industrial and Transport History
The valley played a role in early industrial transport, with historical railways and canals supporting local industries.
Forest Management Access
The access to the forest is currently via an entrance direct to the public highway, to the North-West of the village, and onward shared infrastructure into the forest.
All timber haulage from the forest heads South through Rhandirmwyn towards Llandovery.
The majority of timber crops to the immediate East of the village cannot be reached from the internal forest roads due to steep slopes and challenging terrain.
These crops are ready for harvest with some areas a priority due to infection of larch crops by Phytophthora ramorum and endemic storm damage in other crops.
Proposal
The proposal is to construct a new forest access with direct connection to the public highway to the South of the village. This would bring the area into management and enable harvesting, replanting and maintenance operations on the current inaccessible slopes.
Background information
As the forest is situated adjacent to the village, consultation with the Llanfair-ar-y-Bryn Community Council and the Rhandirmwyn & District Community Association was initiated on the 28th November 2022 to provide information on the new access requirements.
The venue for the meeting was kindly provided by the Elidyr Communities Trust by invite of Dai Sibbons, CEO & Principal.
The Planning Process
The applicatio itself was submitted to Camarthershire Council who after cosultation with their highways engineers granted approval suject to the followig conditions:
Any permission that the Planning Authority may give should include the following condition(s);
Condition(s):
1. Prior to its use by vehicular traffic, the new access shall be laid out and constructed
strictly in accordance with the Proposed Access Plan (A 02, Dated: 01/08/2024).
2. Any access gates shall be set back a minimum distance of 18.0 metres from the
highway boundary and shall open inwards into the site only.
3. Notwithstanding the details shown on the plans herewith approved, the gradient of the
vehicular access serving the development shall not exceed 1 in 10 for the first 10.0
metres from the edge of the carriageway.
4. Prior to any use of the access by vehicular traffic, a visibility splay of 2.4 metres x 120
metres shall be formed and thereafter retained in perpetuity, either side of the centre
line of the access in relation to the nearer edge of carriageway. In particular there shall
at no time be any obstruction above 0.9 metres within this splay area.
5. The access and visibility splays required, shall be wholly provided prior to any part of
the development being brought into use, and thereafter shall be retained unobstructed
in perpetuity. In particular, no part of the access or visibility splays, is to be obstructed
by non-motorised vehicles.
6. All surface water from the development herewith approved shall be trapped and
disposed of so as to ensure that it does not flow on to any part of the public highway.
7. No surface water from the development herewith approved shall be disposed of, or
connected into, existing highway surface water drains.
8. The access shall be hard surfaced in a bonded material for a minimum distance of
18.0 metres behind the highway boundary, prior to any part of the development
approved herewith being brought into use and thereafter maintained in perpetuity.
9. The development shall be related to right turn in / left turn out arrangement only.
En-Plan were able to demotrate our skills in digital mapping and our knowledge in the area of highways and access that has allowed us to gain approval for this important development that will secure local jobs and the ongoing forestry business.
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