UK mountain bike venue BikePark Wales, located in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) have announced plans to transform 400 acres of Welsh mountainside. NRW, which manages the Welsh Government Woodland Estate, has worked closely with BikePark Wales since its first breaking trail in 2013, but a new lease has now been signed to rewild the mountain, add trails and accommodation.
As part of the new 33-year lease, revenue from visiting mountain bikers will be invested in a “Future Forest Vision” that will see the vast majority of BikePark Wales’s mountain return to its natural state. The rewilding plan will see the site change in the coming decades from classic commercial forestry management to a regime that promotes biodiversity gains, improves the resilience of the forest and encourages the return of more ancient semi-natural woodland.
This lease also ensures that BikePark Wales will remain home to the UK’s best-known trails for years – it will add some new trails and also mean visitors can now stay overnight at the site. In addition to the park’s existing 46 mountain bike-specific trails, visitor centre, woodland café, bike hire and bike shop, the new agreement adds planning permission for new trails (nine climbing trails, 27 downhill trails, seven linking trails, and two new skills areas), a bigger visitor area and sustainable accommodation in the form of glamping pods and chalets.
Martin Astley, CEO of BikePark Wales, said: “Our mountain is without a doubt a stunning area, and we already have a diverse range of broadleaf trees here on our mountain. But there is also a lot of monoculture pine forest in South Wales, the result of decades of commercial forestry. The new lease changes the entire site of BikePark Wales, and aside from the mountain bike trails through the forest, we will be encouraging and assisting the forest to return to a more natural state with our colleagues at NRW. Because of the trails, this isn’t classic ‘rewilding’ but it’s as close as we can get, and the trails will allow riders to go deep into our wilderness. What is exciting is that no one has seen what the more natural state of these hills looks like for a couple of centuries. And now we’ll get to find out.”
Astley added: “Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the new lease is the opportunity to work with NRW in a unique collaboration which includes turning parts of BikePark Wales into a seed bank for other potential sites across the country. And some of the income generated by visiting riders being funnelled into a Future Forest Vision plan. The Future Forest Vision includes creating an arboretum, where we can let Cathedral trees reach maturity, and we can improve the health and resilience of the forest by having a more diverse mix of woodland. There are flooding and water management advantages and fire and disease benefits too. But these are just a few of the things we know about already, what is most exciting is the unknown and I look forward to finding out what secrets this project will unlock. And in addition, we can create new jobs and prosperity, boost biodiversity and create a more natural environment, as well as capturing large amounts of carbon in the forest. This really is a great example of how diversification can be positive in so many ways”.
Elsie Grace, head of sustainable commercial development for NRW, said: “We are delighted that our successful relationship with BikePark Wales is set to continue. This partnership demonstrates how the NRW-managed estate can successfully combine commercial activity which benefits the Welsh economy and is sympathetic to the environment. This plan will develop innovative forest management techniques to support the longevity of the mature forest cover, which benefits the biking experience in the forest. In addition to the health and wellbeing benefits of mountain biking for riders of all ages and abilities, the continued success of BikePark Wales has boosted the local economy and provided much-needed jobs for the surrounding area and links with local schools have provided recreational and educational opportunities for young people.”
See more at bikeparkwales.com