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.

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

Owner

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Owner

SEWBReC (South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre)

13 St. Andrews Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 3DB

http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/

Originator

Various

Enquiries Unit, Maes y Fynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW

http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/

Originator

SEWBReC (South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre)

13 St. Andrews Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 3DB

http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/

Originator

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Originator

Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)

Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW

http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/

Extent

Geographic Extent: Wales (WLS)

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

Data quality

Quality Scope: Dataset

Conformity: Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Explanation
Degree: false

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

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0

Type: Theme

Citation

Date (Publication): 2008-06-01

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

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

Code: geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords

Code: British National Grid (EPSG::27700)

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

NRW Related Title: 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: A strategic conservation assessment of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of south Wales

NRW Related Title: 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: Archaeological, historical and cultural importance and significance of surviving coal spoil tips in the heads of the valleys area

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: © 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

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

pointOfContact

Natural Resources Wales (NRW)

Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales

http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en

Publishing Body

Access the portal

Full access to the portal and metadata.

Coal Spoil Conservation Project

Identification

Temporal Extent

Extent

Extent

Distribution

Quality

Data quality

Keywords

Keywords

Citation

Keywords

Citation

Spatial Reference System

Content

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Access Constraints Directive

Access Constraints Text

Use Constraints

Metadata

Metadata

Publishing Body