4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313039393136 English Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en 2024-05-31T09:29:21.38Z NRW 1.0 wel British National Grid (EPSG::27700) Coal Spoil Conservation Project Coal Spoil Conservation Project Coal Spoil Habitat Assessment NRW_DS109916 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. 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. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en SEWBReC (South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre) 13 St. Andrews Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 3DB info@sewbrec.org.uk http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/ Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en SEWBReC (South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre) 13 St. Andrews Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 3DB info@sewbrec.org.uk http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/ Various Enquiries Unit, Maes y Fynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/ SEWBReC (South East Wales Biodiversity Records Centre) 13 St. Andrews Crescent, Cardiff, CF10 3DB info@sewbrec.org.uk http://www.sewbrec.org.uk/ Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Countryside Council for Wales (CCW) Countryside Council for Wales, Maes y Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresourceswales.gov.uk/splash?orig=/ Natural Resources Wales (NRW) Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales enquiries@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en Land use Habitats and biotopes GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0 2008-06-01 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme 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 NRW Thesaurus 2023-12-31 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary 2021-01-06 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.rdf+xml Integrated Public Sector Vocabulary 2013-04-03 geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.subjects NRW SMNR Vocabulary 2023-12-27 geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-smnr-keywords 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. no limitations © 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. English environment biota SeaVoX Vertical Co-ordinate Coverages 2021-01-06 Wales (WLS) -5.777741 -2.608865 51.240829 53.512067 2005-04-01 An integrated strategic assessment of the recreational use and conservation value of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of south Wales A strategic conservation assessment of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of south Wales A strategic conservation assessment of heathland and associated habitats on the coal spoils of south Wales : phase II : assessment of environmental parameters Archaeological, historical and cultural importance and significance of surviving coal spoil tips in the heads of the valleys area Documents [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 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 2010-12-08 This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation. false 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. 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.