Dinefwr Green Group - Press Release

Woodland threatened by Cydcoed project!

Why is public money to 'protect and improve' the environment being wasted?
The only threat to this woodland is the 'project' funded by Cydcoed. It's a nonsense.
DGG calls for an inquiry.

Can we trust public money in the hands of the private sector? Are they doing a good job and are we getting value for money? Lets go down to the woods and see what it means for woodland development in Wales.

At least there is no shortage of money for woodland projects, with Cydcoed, 'Woods for All', it's Free for All, and Objective One funding is being handed out to those in the know, with the ambition to 'work for better woodlands'. In the Carmarthenshire parish of Llansadwrn, the Community Council has won twice on the same scheme to 'protect and improve' a Site of Special Scientific Interest, £45000 last year and another £15000, May 7th this year. The project involves erecting a fence, around but not on the common (2), installing cattle grids on a single track highway, felling woodland in a bog to improve grazing, and rescuing endangered pingos!

The problem with the woodland is, too many trees, and its too big! Tree friendly' Cydcoed have come to the rescue with funding to have the woodland cut down to size and let the cattle in. Just to make sure the trees don't counter attack with re-growth, the stumps will be poisoned as well. The Countryside Council for Wales, giving 'expert advice and support', have called this "coppicing."

"Cydcoed is run by Tir Coed, the all-Wales initiative charged with developing woodlands. It is delivering one of the biggest packages of new money - funded jointly by the European Union and the Forestry Commission in Wales - ever offered for woodland projects in Wales". - "Tir Coed, which is responsible for delivering Cydcoed - Woods for All, is an independent company representing a broad group of Welsh countryside organisations working for better woodlands." (extract - Cydcoed news (1), 18/1/02).

The project started last year with the fencing around the common, causing widespread damage to residents property. Undaunted, Cydcoed is keen to see Llansadwrn Community Councils (LCC) 'woodland project,' completed by the deadline December 2003, so keen that Mark Proctor, Cydcoed's project officer attended an exclusive meeting with councillors in Llansadwrn, 7th May, to make the second award (local residents/graziers were not invited).

Both organisations claim the support of local people but neither is keen to provide information about their project to local residents. There have been protests, letter writing and two public meetings (3) called at the persistent request of disgruntled local residents to find out what the project involves, but Cydcoed and LCC remain tight-lipped and are working to their own agenda.

The Welsh European Funding Office, which claims to be 'Making European Funding Work in Wales' says the terms of the contract are commercially confidential and cannot be disclosed. For information they suggest contacting Llansadwrn Community Council. Carmarthenshire's newly appointed, ex-directory (4) Auditor for Community Councils in Carmarthenshire, HLB AV Audit (Southampton) say (by phone) they would have difficulty investigating a contract in which the accounts have not been questioned by the funding body. Despite serious irregularities the Local Government Ombudsman doesn't want to know and has stated he has, "no jurisdiction to investigate complaints against community councils," and to cap it all Countryside Council for Wales do not have a formal management plan for Cors Farlais," and have only just agreed to discussions with local residents/graziers.

So there we are, it's all a great success (sic). If you want to find out more about this exciting development ('woodland project'), and what happens next contact either:
Mark Proctor, Cydcoed Project Officer (01834 814823).
John Couch, Chair, LCC, (01550 779062).


The question is where is the referee amongst all this government/corporate sector bungling, and whatever happened to due process? When things go wrong who can intervene on behalf of the public?

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Notes
1.Cydcoed's news see, www.tircoed.org.uk/cydcoed00101/cydcoed_news.htm
2.The woodland is situated on Common Land (Cor Farlais) in the parish of Llansadwrn, Carmarthenshire. It is a quiet and beautiful place, and a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
3.The public meetings in Llansadwrn were attended by LCC and representatives from Environment Wales, Countryside Council for Wales, and Carmarthenshire County Council, but not Cydcoed.
4.See attached correspondence
5.ditto.

Contacts.

Greg Guile (local resident) - 01558685308
Tim Shaw (DGG) - 01558 685353



Dinefwr Green Group. 91 Rhosmaen Street Llandeilo. 2nd June 2003.