Coal Spoil Conservation Project
The coal extraction industry has had a massive impact on the natural environment at a landscape level, the most obvious legacy of the operations being the extensive coal spoil tips apparent across the region. In recent years millions of pounds have been spent on the stabilisation and eventual reclamation of these spoil areas and their redevelopment for housing, new industry or local open spaces. In the past the potential ecological value of the tips has generally been overlooked or understated. However, old coal spoil sites are now recognised as an important habitat for a range of species and the few remaining sites in the Valleys also have cultural and community value, however general awareness of the value of these sites is low. This has resulted in a loss of site value in term of heritage, ecology, landscape and amenity and there was a need to put individual sites into a context. The former Countryside Council for Wales (CCW), which is now part of Natural Resources Wales (NRW), conducted an integrated strategic assessment of the recreational use and conservation value of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of South Wales. This was intended as the first phase of a coal spoil conservation strategy which incorporated the results of additional archaeological and community assessment. The study was limited to the area covered by Torfaen, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Councils. A Coal Spoil Conservation Strategy was initiated and this dataset includes the results from different phases of the project (see 'contains' field). The aim of this data capture was to provide background data for the delivery of a consistent strategy for local biodiversity action and amenity enhancement. The results of an archaeological and community assessment were also incorporated. The study suggests a classification for types of coal spoil and assesses the ecological value of a large number of sites.
- Identification
- Extent
- Distribution
- Quality
- Keywords
- Spatial Reference System
- Content
- Constraints
- Maintenance
- Metadata
Identification
- Identifier
- NRW_DS109916
- Alternative Title
-
- Coal Spoil Habitat Assessment
- Metadata Language
- English
- Lineage
-
Phase 1 habitat data, Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photographs and information supplied by the local authorities were assessed. Most detailed records were provided by SEWBREC, the South East Wales Biological Records Centre. Available data is not evenly distributed and recommendations are made for further survey. GIS data and Excel spreadsheets for each site are provided as a separate CD, with the results summarised in this report. Confidence in this data is generally high however some disagreement regarding NVC communities/species identification and poor mapping.
Temporal Extent
- Begin date
- 2005-04-01
- Topic category
-
- Environment
- Biota
Extent
Extent
- Geographic Extent
- Wales (WLS)
Distribution
- Format Type and Description
-
-
Documents
Documents
()
- Specification
-
[A] Report available as paper hardcopy or digital version (Word and PDF files) [B] GIS products in the form of MapInfo tables- vegetation polygons, quadrat points, target notes and photographic points. [C] Excel spreadsheets containing raw quadrat data [D] Digital photos
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Documents
Documents
()
Quality
Data quality
- Quality Scope
- Dataset
- Lineage
-
Phase 1 habitat data, Ordnance Survey maps, aerial photographs and information supplied by the local authorities were assessed. Most detailed records were provided by SEWBREC, the South East Wales Biological Records Centre. Available data is not evenly distributed and recommendations are made for further survey. GIS data and Excel spreadsheets for each site are provided as a separate CD, with the results summarised in this report. Confidence in this data is generally high however some disagreement regarding NVC communities/species identification and poor mapping.
Keywords
Keywords
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2008-06-01
Keywords
- NRW Thesaurus
-
- heathland (heaths)
- lichen-heath
- lichens
- coal
- coal spoils
- Torfaen
- Caerphilly
- Merthyr Tydfil
- Rhondda Cynon Taff (Rhondda Cynon Taff County Borough Council)
- conservation assessment
- recreation (see also outdoor recreation,sports and narrower terms eg. recreation planning)
- amenity value
- mines (mining)
- the Valleys, South Wales
- Type
- Theme
Citation
- Date (Publication)
- 2023-12-31
Spatial Reference System
Content
Content Information
NRW Profile
Custom Elements
- NRW Related Title
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An integrated strategic assessment of the recreational use and conservation value of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of south Wales
- NRW Related Title
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A strategic conservation assessment of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of south Wales
- NRW Related Title
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A strategic conservation assessment of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of south Wales : phase II : assessment of environmental parameters
- NRW Related Title
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Archaeological, historical and cultural importance and significance of surviving coal spoil tips in the heads of the valleys area
Constraints
Constraints
Limitations on Public Access and Use
- Restriction type
- Other restrictions
Access Constraints Directive
- Limitations
- no limitations
Access Constraints Text
- Other constraints
-
The following data is considered OS derived data and is therefore jointly owned by NRW and the Ordnance Survey. There are no access restrictions on this data. However there are third party use restrictions.
Use Constraints
- Use constraints type
- Other restrictions
- Other constraints
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© CNC/NRW and © Crown copyright. All rights reserved. Natural Resources Wales, AC0000849444 Data may be re-used under provision and in line with the terms of a NRW licence. Those seeking commercial re-use require a commercial licence available from the OS.
Metadata
Metadata
- File Identifier
- 4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313039393136 XML
- Metadata Language
- English
- Resource type
- Dataset
- Metadata Date
- 2024-05-31T09:29:21.38Z
- Metadata Standard Name
- NRW
- Metadata Standard Version
-
1.0