Carmel Woods

The 12 year battle to save Carmel Woods in the Gwenlais Valley from quarrying has finally been won. Wimpey Minerals have discarded plans for a limestone quarry at the site. Of course this is a result of the company’s commitment to preserving such areas of outstanding ecological value - NOT!!! The plans were abandoned on the condition that local campaigner Pat Langford, dropped her High Court action contesting the planning permission for the existing quarry at Cilyrychen. Although the validity of the Interim Development Order will never be tested in the courts, this has been heralded as an important victory for the conservation movement. The future of the woods, unique turlough lake and other SSSI’s nearby has been safeguarded. Further threat comes from our old friends Celtic Energy whose proposed opencast site at Tir Dafydd could affect the hydrology of the turlough lake. The Campaign for the Protection of the Gwenlais Valley will continue to monitor and campaign for these and other sites: Contact 01558 685353.