APPENDIX 1: SPECIAL LANDSCAPE AREAS

Relevance against Strategic Criteria

Need

• The area represents one of the most open upland areas within the County Borough, abutting the Brecon Beacons National Park.
• The dualling of the A465 Heads of the Valleys has changed part of the character of the area, and will increase development pressures with increased accessibility.
• Whilst this has certain negative effects upon the quality of the landscape it reinforces the need to ensure the quality of the remainder of the area is maintained.
• In terms of landscape structure it forms the northern edge of the coalfield and shows evidence of historic mine workings.

Coherence

• The area covers the northern part of the Upper Rhymney Valley, primarily to the north of the A465 corridor.
• It provides a distinctive upland landscape unit, formed primarily by the boundaries of adjacent local authorities.
• It abuts the Brecon Beacons National Park and forms a natural buffer zone to further protect the Park’s nationally important landscape character and quality.

Consensus

• It relates very closely to an existing SLA designated under the Rhymney Valley Landscape Strategy. 
• Professional stakeholders have supported the designation.

Primary Landscape Qualities and Features

Cultural Landscapes

• It is a simple, open landscape with a number of recent regeneration projects in the area, primarily in the form of the improved A465 corridor, which has both increased in scale and size.
• An important example of industrial heritage, with areas of reclaimed land and spoil tips.
• There are examples of various historic and contemporary human occupation and exploitation in the form of prehistoric monuments, redundant industrial workings and transport systems.

Landscape Habitats

• Despite largish areas of improved grassland being present there are also large areas of valuable grassland present. There is a good mixture of marshy, neutral and acid grasslands. Areas of semi-improved and unimproved grassland are fragmented within the wider improved grassland landscape.Uniform improved grassland is present resulting from reclamation of former mine workings.
• Upland river corridor and enclosed upland pasture. Also riparian woodland/scrub.

Geological Landscape

• It exhibits the results of glaciation and forms the northern edge of the pennant sandstone outcrop that underpins the South Wales coalfield. With broad, moderately steep-sided valleys controlled by south-dipping mud-dominated coal measures (upper carboniferous). Valley floor contains alluvium and glacial sand/gravel.
• Numerous derelict mine workings, shafts, adits, colliery waste tips and partially reclaimed opencast workings present within and immediatley adjoining the landscape, which gives it a particularly industrial feel and character.

Visual and Sensory

• Strong visual links with the Brecon Beacons.
• Views of the upland area are extensive andvery open with minimal field boundaries and patterns. Adjacent upland areas dominate views into the landscape.
• Strong underlying feel of industrial past. Industrial remnants include old railway sidings and earthworks.
• Overhead pylons are visual detractors, and the A465 has both noise and movement impacts.
• Area is currently predominantly used as rough grazing and agriculture.

Historical Landscapes

• An extensive area of unenclosed open moorland, forming the easternmost outline of Merthyr Common, which has remained relatively, unchanged since the 19^th Century, in spite of encroachment by industrial extraction activity, in particular lime and ironstone quarries.
• The area contains numerous water management features that form part of the extensive remains of Dowlais Free Drainage System. There are also quarries associated with the Dowlais Ironworks, which together with the water management features represent a significant concentration of 19^th Century industrial water-management features of considerable historical importance.

Key Policy, Management and Development Control Issues

Long Term

• Future development proposals should not see the loss of any historic environment or geological or geomorphological features present within the landscape.
• Undertake mine spoil and post industrial land reclamation schemes where necessary and in circumstances where it will benefit the overall landscape. The significant historic and cultural aspects of the landscape should not be lost as a result of a reclamation scheme.
• Encourage appropriate management of notable habitats - ensure areas of semi-improved, acid and marshy grassland are not degraded to improved grassland.
• Encourage sympathetic landscape management practice including removing Japanese Knotweed - implement a Japanese knotweed strategy.
• Protect elements of Dowlais Free Drainage water management system.

Medium Term

• Prevent further loss of overall landscape quality and character on the settlement edge as a result of development. The settlement edges are sensitive and due care and consideration needs to be given to the wider landscape setting and character when making these development decisions.
• Minimise the visual and noise detractors in the landscape, including light pollution from the introduction of road lighting and additional large scale features such as pylons and wind turbines.
• Encourage reduced grazing - stock grazing will prevent the grassland from reaching higher levels of ecological value. Possibly introduce the Tir Gofal scheme or current equivalent to the area. Prevent the further fragmentation of grasslands within the wider improved grassland landscape.
• Restore to natural landscape, maximising natural regeneration and removing industrial debris.

Immediate

• Prevent continued degradation of habitats and landscape features through appropriate management and development decisions.
• Minimise and remove visual landscape degradation including fly tipping, burnt/ dumped cars, littering and illegal off roading. n

Relevance against Strategic Criteria

Need

• The core of the area - Gelligaer Common - represents an important and increasingly rare upland landscape within South East Wales exhibiting continuity of land use over many centuries.  This is reflected in the archaeological remains from pre Roman times. 
• The area offers extensive opportunities for recreation and access although there are signs of degradation and loss of quality through fly tipping and litter in general. 
• The surrounding, more lowland areas above Penpedairheol, Bargoed and Deri form both physical and visual buffer zones to the core SLA.

Coherence

• The area is based upon a distinct, upland landscape unit.  
• The western boundary is formed by the boundary with Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council, along Cefn Gelligaer. 
• The other buffer zones are included to establish appropriate, defensible boundaries and reflect the intervisibility between the two landscape units.

Consensus

• It relates closely to an existing SLA designated under the Rhymney Valley Landscape Strategy. 
• Professional stakeholders have supported the designation.

Primary Landscape Qualities and Features

Cultural Landscapes

• The area is included in the Register of Special Historic Interest in Wales.
• Gelligaer Common represents a rich and increasingly rare upland landscape in South East Wales, having numerous distinct foci of settlement representing continuity of land use from the prehistoric period to the recent past. The area includes: Bronze Age funerary and ritual monuments, a Roman fort and associated features including a Roman road and military practice camps; a mediaeval earthwork castle and a significant concentration of mediaeval platform houses which include some of the first examples of the type to be archaeologically investigated in Wales.
• Upland valley with mix of past industrial remains and relics of local cultural importance.

Landscape Habitats

• Designated as common land, the majority of the area exhibits typical upland heath vegetation. 
• Unenclosed uplands comprising of unimproved acid grassland, wet dwarf shrub heath, wet heath/ acid grassland mosaic flushes, open water, bracken, ephemeral/short perennials on spoil.Many of the fields are improved grassland. 
• Small field pattern, hedgerows with mature trees and patches of broadleaved woodland present, particularly in the south of the SLA.Japanese knotweed present.
• There are a number of vegetation lined minor streams.

Geological Landscape

• Physically it is a characteristic glaciated upland landscape and includes, at its southern end, part of the fault bounded ‘col’, formed by glacial melt waters and linking the Taf and Rhymney Valleys.  Today, this is used by the cross-valley B4254 road. Steep-sided valleys cut into South Wales pennant formation sandstones (Upper Carboniferous).
• Valley floor contains alluvium and glacial sand/gravel; boulder clay in the form of hummocky moraine.

Visual and Sensory

• An open, extensive, exposed and an increasingly rare upland landscape in South East Wales. It has distinct visual and sensory characteristics with extensive views over the coalfield plateau and up to the Brecon Beacons. Rock outcrops impart a strong upland character tempered by urban presence to south of area.Dramatic views all around with stonewalls being the predominant boundary treatment.
• The landscape exhibits numerous examples of continuity of land use from prehistoric times, rough grazing and bracken and scattered rural farms.Sheep and horses grazing present throughout the whole of the area.
• The eastern flank of the SLA is typified by more rolling landscape pattern interspersed with woodland blocks, spinneys and hedgerows.
• Wind noise is a dominant factor, which evokes particular experience of exposure and wildness. Noise and movement is more noticeable within a generally quiet landscape.

Historical Landscapes

• The landscape of Gelligaer common represents an increasingly rare survival in South East Wales of an extensive area of high upland moor rich with an exceptionally rich and diverse archaeological heritage, demonstrating a long continuity of human activity and occupation.
• The lower areas are characterised by extensive, well preserved irregular and enclosed upland landscape, dominated by significant remains of medieval/ post-medieval agricultural settlement and later 19^th – 20^th century industrial extractive activity.

Key Policy, Management and Development Control Issues

Long Term

• The landscape's cultural attributes are relatively unspoiled- the whole area should be protected from inappropriate development and encroachment.Keep open feel to the area, with the lowland landscape area acting as a buffer zone for the upland common.
• Future development proposals should not see the loss of any historic environment or geological or geomorphological features present within the landscape. A wealthof archaeology from all periods, especially the Industrial/Modern period is present and should be protected.
• Ensure that valuable habitats are not lost and notable habitats are appropriately managed - investigate condition of habitats.

Medium Term

• Encourage reduced grazing - stock grazing will prevent the grassland from reaching higher levels of ecological value. Possibly introduce the Tir Gofal scheme or current equivalent to the area. Prevent habitat fragmentation between grassland types.
• Development proposals should not see the removal of the characteristic stonewalls and hedgerows. The continued conservation, maintenance and enhancement of these features are required as part of the development process.
• Restrict urban spread and soften the urban edges.
• Control bracken spread

Immediate

• Undertake land reclamation where considered appropriate, including post-industrial land uses.
• Prevent the loss of upland habitats.
• Minimise and remove visual landscape degradation including fly tipping, burnt/ dumped cars, littering and illegal off roading.
• Improve public access including long distance paths and loops and links networks.
• Remove Japanese Knotweed – implement a knotweed strategy.

 

Relevance against Strategic Criteria

Need

• The area, whilst consisting of two distinct landscape types – open uplands and lowlands – represents an important landscape unit adjacent to the populated Rhymney Valley in the east and the Cynon Valley to the west. 
• This provides a wider landscape setting and context for the settlements of Nelson, Ystrad Mynach, Llanbradach, north Caerphilly / Bedwas, Abertridwr and Senghenydd.

Coherence

• The boundaries reflect a coherent landscape unit abutting Rhondda Cynon Taf to the west and settlement boundaries to the remainder of its area. 
• The two landscape types have an intervisibility that justifies their inclusion in one SLA and form the visual context for settlements in and around the area.

Consensus

• Equates partially with a landscape area identified in the Rhymney Valley Landscape Strategy. 

Primary Landscape Qualities and Features

Cultural Landscapes

• This is a multi-period landscape, with emphasis on 19th and 20th century development as industrial and residential communities emerged in the immediate and surrounding areas.  Some evidence of historic and contemporary human occupation and exploitation in the form of prehistoric monuments, redundant industrial workings and transport systems is present throughout the area.

Landscape Habitats

• Agriculturally improved grassland with patches of broadleaved woodlands and bracken. Both upland and lowland areas are heavily grazed.This is preventing the spread of bracken, but is also preventing the improved grassland areas from increasing in ecological value.
• Semi-improved grassland, marshy grassland and flushes, dry heath/ acid grassland mosaic and areas of blanket mire occur throughout the SLA.
• Significant features found within the SLA include; ponds, hedgerows with mature tree species, unimproved acid grasslands, marshy grassland, bracken, European Protected Species, UK Protected Species and LBAP priority species and habitats.

Geological Landscape

• Glacial mountain valley.Southerly Valley dissected through pennant sandstones (upper carboniferous)extensively filled with drift.Glacial sand/gravel in lower valley, with eskers at Abertridwr.
• Major colliery tips, some restored and several closed mine shafts.

Visual and Sensory

• This is not a remote landscape due to the proximity of the valleys to their associated urban areas. The upland ridge is open with panoramic and sometimes dramatic views over upland and adjoining valleys. A pleasant landscape, with some attractive rolling farmland away from the built form of urban edges.
• Land cover is predominately rough grazing with bracken. There is a mixture of boundary treatments across the SLA. Rolling farmland hedgerows and stock proof fencing are the predominant boundary treatments, although there are some traditional stonewalls present.
• Some visual clutter of pylons slightly detracts from this otherwise wild/exposed typical upland area with a strong sense of place.

Historical Landscapes

• The area represents a remarkably coherent, rich multi-period, well preserved landscape with significant remains of Roman military occupation.
• The overall landscape pattern characterised by a mixed fieldscape and a largely dispersed pattern of settlement that has survived relatively unchanged. Although there has been some encroachment by 20^th century housing development.
• The archaeological record for this area is exceptionally rich with evidence of human activity dating back to the Bronze Age.
• The Nelson area is dominated by the 20^th Century industrial settlement and transport corridor and developments, which has lead to the substantial loss of earlier patterns of landscape and settlement in this area. However, there is still significant evidence for Roman and medieval occupation in this area.
• The Mynydd Eglwysilian and Meio areas represent an important and remarkably well-preserved historic landscape containing a wealth of archaeological evidence. The area is an extensive enclosed area of mountain moorland that has remained substantially intact and unaffected by 19^th – 20^th Century industrial exploitation or modern forestry plantations.

Key Policy, Management and Development Control Issues

Long Term

• Future development proposals should not see the loss of any historic environment or geological or geomorphological features present within the landscape. A wealthof archaeology from all periods, especially the Industrial/Modern period is present and should be protected.
• Care should be taken not to subsume past cultural attributes beneath pressures for expansion and regeneration - plan and allow expansion compatible with the ability of the area to contain such pressures.
• Prevent the area becoming too cluttered with incongruous vertical elements, including pylons and turbines.
• Prevent the loss of habitats, both upland and lowland which contribute to the character of the area - ensure that valuable habitats are not lost.
• Longer term management of forestry plantations around Llanbradach with consequent effect upon visual qualities of the landscape.

Medium Term

• Hedgerows and stonewalls should be protected, maintained and enhanced.
• Restrict urban spread in to the countryside and soften the existing urban edge.
• Encourage reduced grazing - stock grazing will prevent the grassland from reaching higher levels of ecological value. Possibly introduce the Tir Gofal scheme or current equivalent to the area. Prevent habitat fragmentation between grassland types.

Immediate

• Encourage the reduction of grazing in the most sensitive landscape habitat areas and increase grazing in areas dominated by bracken to reduce the spread.
• Investigate the condition of habitats and implement management plans where appropriate.
• Minimise and remove visual landscape degradation including fly tipping, burnt/ dumped cars, littering and illegal off roading.

 

Relevance against Strategic Criteria

Need

• The area represents a substantial area of the middle Rhymney valley landscape, almost totally surrounded by developed valley floors. 
• It is important for public access and recreation, and links into the wider recreational network. 
• Although more lowland in character, it provides an important visual context and setting to the settlement along the valley floor.

Coherence

• The boundaries reflect an almost entirely intact landscape unit. 
• The eastern boundary along the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk provides on obvious line forming the watershed between the Rhymney and Sirhowy Valleys.  The latter of the two landscape areas having a totally different character and form, being densely planted and narrow.

Consensus

• Relates closely to an existing SLA defined in the Rhymney Valley Landscape Strategy. 
• Professional stakeholders have supported the designation.

Primary Landscape Qualities and Features

Cultural Landscapes

• Agriculture, forestry and rural settlements and practices are the predominant cultural influences on this area.
• Evidence of historic and contemporary human occupation and exploitation in the form of prehistoric monuments, redundant industrial workings and transport systems, and of forestry.
• The area is traversed by a number of rights of way, with the Rhymney Valley Ridgeway Walk long distance path forming its northern boundary, being important for public access and recreational use. 

Landscape Habitats

• The following are all present within the SLA; Improved grassland with patchy broadleaved woodland that includes upland Ash, Oak, Birch ancient woodland with diverse ground flora, semi-improved neutral grassland, semi-improved acid grassland, marshy grassland and bracken. Conifer plantation. Beech is associated with hedges.
• Significant features include; European Protected Species, UK Protected Species, LBAP species and habitats.

Geological Landscape

• Steep-sided U shaped valley cut into South Wales pennant (upper carboniferous) sandstones. Glacial sands, gravels and boulder clay all present.
• There are areas of derelict and reclaimed land associated with former mining and quarrying industries.

Visual and Sensory

• It is a relatively gentle, rolling valley side, rising up to Mynydd y Grug. Much of the area looks down on to Caerphilly and across the Rhymney Valley giving it an open feel. Views from the countryside out onto urban areas and carboniferous plantations can detract from the value of the area. Towards the south east of the SLA near Machen the slopes are steeper and more wooded resulting in a more enclosed and upland feel which dominate the landscape.
• The lower valley sides are characterised by a mosaic landscape habitats of rough pasture, semi-improved grassland interspersed with hedgerows, hedgerow trees and small spinneys. 
• The landform is a mix of pastoral farmland in field enclosures, woodland blocks, both broadleaved and coniferous plantation all exhibiting features typical of the former coalfield valleys. Also present is Bracken, which dominates the steeper/higher slopes in areas such as Mynydd Dimlaith.
• A mixture of boundary treatments are present across the SLA, although these are, in general, currently poorly managed and of varying quality.

Historical Landscapes

• This area represents a remarkably diverse multi-period upland landscape with particularly significant concentrations of prehistoric ritual/ funerary monuments and medieval settlement sites.
• The landscape has remained essentially unchanged, although the semi-natural woodland along the Sirhowy has been increasingly superseded by modern forestry plantation.

Key Policy, Management and Development Control Issues

Long Term

• Future development proposals should not see the loss of any historic environment or geological or geomorphological features present within the landscape. A wealthof archaeology from all periods, especially the Industrial/Modern period is present and should be protected.
• Manage woodlands and plantations and their effect upon the visual characteristics of the landscapeby looking at ways of softening edges of coniferous plantations with broadleaved planting and improving ecological value – implement a forestry management plan.
• Development proposals should not see the removal of the characteristic stonewalls and hedgerows. The continued conservation, maintenance and enhancement of these features are required as part of the development process. All management plans and regimes should also make provision for the preservation and enhancement of existing boundary treatments.

Medium Term

• Prevent and positively manage the degradation of landscape habitats and quality associated with public access areas and corridors.  Potential to enhance management of public rights of way network.
• The whole area should be protected from inappropriate development and encroachment into the countryside and SLA area. Restrict the loss of character along settlement edge in response to development pressures.

Immediate

• Minimise and remove visual landscape degradation including fly tipping, burnt/ dumped cars, littering and illegal off roading.
• Encourage the reduction of grazing in the most sensitive landscape habitat areas and increase grazing in areas dominated by bracken to reduce the spread.

 

Relevance against Strategic Criteria

Need

• The SLA forms an important buffer zone between Caerphilly and the M4 corridor to the south.  It also forms the visual context and setting for the historic town of Caerphilly. 
• Its mixture of upland and lowland character, plantations and rights of way networks provide an important recreational feature in the area.  Its topography reflects the underlying geology of being on the southern boundary of the coalfield valleys.
• It contains a number of important habitats.

Coherence

• The boundary reflects the proximity of the LANDMAP aspect areas to the Borough boundary with Cardiff to the south. 
• The Northern boundaries adjacent to Caerphilly and the River Rhymney establish an important buffer zone for the upland core of Caerphilly Mountain and Mynydd Rudry.

Consensus

• This largely equates to a SLA defined in the Rhymney Valley landscape strategy.

Primary Landscape Qualities and Features

Cultural Landscapes

• Caerphilly Mountain is common land, and together with key sites and the interlinking network of paths and bridleways forms an important recreational area to the people in the Rhymney Valley to the north and greater Cardiff to the south.

Landscape Habitats

• The area has a range of landscape habitat types from upland heath and moorland, through to plantation and broadleaved woodlands down to lowland mosaics of grassland, hedgerows, spinneys and arable farmland.
• The SLA has a range of habitats including areas of bracken, dry heath, amenity/ improved grassland, acid grassland, semi-improved grassland, small areas of calcareous grasslands and woodland (oak/ash). A range of species are present within the SLA including European Protected Species, UK Protected Species and LBAP species.
• Significant hedgerows are present throughout the entire SLA with the presence of mature tree specimens supported by these hedgerows. A few poorly maintained stonewalls are present, these are predominantly on the common land.

Geological Landscape

• The area comprises a sandstone ridge with scarp slope across a dissected plain of Old Devonian Red Sandstone, and carboniferous limestone ridge with evidence of past coal and mineral extraction within the area.
• Evidence of derelict coal mine sites and associated spoil tips and some evidence of ancient landslips.

Visual and Sensory

• A wide valley that gently slopes upwards to the south. The steepness of the slope increases as the land rises up to areas such as Caerphilly and Rudry Common. The dominant views are across the valley and down into the valley with the settlements, predominantly Caerphilly, being the focal points.
• The land is a mix of pastoral farmland on the lower and gentle slopes with coniferous woodland dominating the higher areas. Scattered rural buildings and farms are the primary settlement pattern.
• There is a mixture of boundary treatments, although the hedgerows, which often contain mature species of trees, are the most prominent. There are some stonewalls, but these are generally in poor condition.
• The main visual detractor of this SLA is the coniferous plantations that are out of place in the more lowland areas.

Historical Landscapes

• The landscape is a complex, multi-period landscape containing evidence of prehistoric, Roman, medieval and post-medieval occupation that has remained relatively unchanged, with little evidence of intrusion by 19^th – 20^th century industrial or residential development.
• The predominant landscape pattern in this area is characterised by a mixed fieldscape enclosing areas of open moorland interspersed with substantial tracts of ancient, semi-natural woodland and isolated and dispersed farmsteads.
• Ruperra Castle and ground also falls within this area whish is an outstanding example of national importance of an early Jacobean Renaissance mock castle, virtually unique in Wales.                

Key Policy, Management and Development Control Issues

Long Term

• Future development proposals should not see the loss of any historic environment or geological or geomorphological features present within the landscape.
• Reinstatement of broadleaved woodland, particularly around the edges of the coniferous woodland areas.Reduce the dominance of the coniferous woodland in general.
• Reduce the impact of recreational activity on habitats and landscape quality. The area is heavily used for recreational purposes and management plans/ regimes need to reflect the sensitive landscape character.
• Preserve the openness of higher ground through the development process. Prevent any encroachment into the SLA or the countryside in general.

Medium Term

• Reduce and effectively control development pressure along the settlement edge. All new development should be sited sensitively and seek to soften the generally well-defined urban edge.
• Introduce additional stock grazing, especially on the common land area to reduce and control the spread of bracken and scrub.
• Preserve, maintain and enhance the existing hedgerows, banks and stonewalls as good examples of the typical boundary treatments in the SLA.Development proposals should seek to integrate these features into the overall design and where they are currently present, they should be preserved.

Immediate

• Minimise and remove visual landscape degradation including fly tipping, burnt/ dumped cars, littering and illegal off roading.
• Ensure that no more heath is lost to bracken and scrub.

 

Relevance against Strategic Criteria

Need

• A small, but important open upland area surrounded by extensive plantations. 
• Its designation recognises the importance of open moorland features in this part of the Borough and the quality of its associated landscape habitats.

Coherence

• Clearly defined landscape unit reflecting a distinctive pattern of landscape types.

Consensus

• Reflects SLA defined in the Islwyn Landscape Strategy.

Primary Landscape Qualities and Features

Cultural Landscapes

• The area contains examples of historic and contemporary human occupation and exploitation in the form of prehistoric monuments, redundant industrial workings, transport systems and forestry.

Landscape Habitats

• Significant habitats in the SLA include; coniferous woodland, semi natural broadleaved woodland, acid grassland, neutral grassland, marshy grassland, improved grassland, upland heathland, dry heath and bracken. Presence of ancient woodland on the higher slopes of the SLA.
• Presence of European Protected Species, UK Protected Species, LBAP species and habitats.
• Hedgerows are the primary boundary treatment, with significant examples present throughout the SLA.
• Stock grazing and tree felling are the main land management activities.

Geological Landscape

• Steep sided South Wales pennant (upper carboniferous) valleys with Boulder clay, glacial sands/ gravel and alluvium in valley floor.
• Disused sandstone quarries, closed colliery shafts and waste tips present.

Visual and Sensory

• A relatively small, but distinct landscape unit formed by the open, upland ridge of Mynydd y Lan to the north of Cwmfelinfach and west of Abercarn. It represents a key open upland area in a fairly intensively developed part of the borough, which has not totally been given over to commercial forestry plantations, such as further east at Cwmcarn and Coed Medart. 
• The open ridge is surrounded on two sides by plantations covering the steep valley sides, which form a distinctive backdrop to the settlements on the valley floors. 
• It also includes the more enclosed agricultural area of Mynydd Islwyn, which is a mixture of rough pasture and grazing land. 

Historical Landscapes

• A large and reasonably well-preserved irregular rural fieldscape of post-medieval date, which has survived largely intact in spite of encroachment by 20^th Century quarrying activity.
• Extensive 20^th century quarrying activity along the Sirhowy and Ebbw valley has taken place, which has ultimately distracted from the overall coherence of the landscape.
• An extensive, relatively well-preserved tract of open moorland is also present at Mynydd y Lan, which has remained largely intact, although much of the semi-natural woodland has been superseded by modern forestry and there is currently a modest record of archaeological remains recorded in this particular area.     

Key Policy, Management and Development Control Issues

Long Term

• Future development proposals should not see the loss of any historic and cultural environment features or geological or geomorphological features present within the landscape.
• Retain the open character of Mynydd y Lan. Prevent the loss and degradation of farmed landscape e.g.: field boundaries, spinneys etc. Preserve and enhance hedgerows. Development proposals should seek to protect and positively integrate these features into all development proposals.
• Felling and continued management regimes of the coniferous woodland will open up the area and increase the ecological value of the area.Seek to enlarge the ancient woodland and broadleaved woodland areas within the SLA.
• Regenerate and/or reclaim the disused quarry areas and spoil tips.
• Prevent and reduce habitat fragmentation through the protection of the landscape as a whole and the protection of habitat linkages.

Medium Term

• Encourage reduced grazing - stock grazing will prevent the grassland from reaching higher levels of ecological value. Possibly introduce the Tir Gofal scheme or current equivalent to the area.
• Prevent the area becoming too cluttered with incongruous vertical elements, including pylons and turbines to protect the vulnerable open integrity of the area.

Immediate

• Minimise and remove visual landscape degradation including fly tipping, burnt/ dumped cars, littering and illegal off roading.
• Reduce and effectively control development pressure along the settlement edge. All new development should be sited sensitively and seek to soften the generally well-defined urban edge.
• Investigate the condition of notable habitats and implement management plans where appropriate. Notable and/or vulnerable habitats should not be damaged as a result of development. Mitigation and/or compensation should be provided where damage is unavoidable