Reserve plan unveiled for site where trees were illegally felled

DETAILS of plans to manage and restore 43 acres of land in Gower where trees were illegally felled and their stumps pulled out have been unveiled.

- RICHARD YOULE

Grassland will be restored and pockets of woodland comprising oak, hazel, rowan, hawthorn and possibly some holly will be planted. Destroyed hedges will also be replaced.

New ponds are also in the offing at The Old Forge, Cartersford Lower Farm, Lower Fairwood and, longer term, cattle will be introduced to graze and help create niches for new wildlife.

Prior to this, fencing will be put around the boundary of the site to prevent wandering sheep and cows from getting in.

The land in the Gower National Landscape, formerly known as the Gower Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, was bought by conservation group the Gower Society, whose aerial images of cleared woodland played a part in the conviction of the former landowner.

The society has now granted a 25-year-lease to the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales to manage the site, and members of both groups toured the area yesterday.