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Survey Details for CYNONVS580 - 2026-06-06

CYNONVS580

Visual and Sensory

St Gwynno

Bridgend-Caerphilly-Rhondda

2013-01-01

  • Level 1: Upland
  • Level 2: Exposed Upland/Plateau
  • Level 3: Wooded Upland & Plateaux

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

  • 2013-01-01

Q1a - Monitoring undertaken by

  • Bronwen Thomas Landscape Architect, plus White Consultants at initial change detection stage, in consultation with LPA. Based on 2011/12 change detection.

Q1b - Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

  • This record has been updated following monitoring work, there was a real change in the aspect area

Q1c - Change indicated by

  • OS Data, Aerial Photographs
  • Satellite Imagery Interpretation
  • Policies, plans & information resources

Q1d - What has changed?

  • Description

Q1e - Has the information ever been verified in the field?

  • Yes
    • 1:25000

Q2 - Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area?

  • No

Q2a - During which season(s) was fieldwork carried out?

  • Winter

Description

Q3 - Summary Description

  • upland landscape dominated by coniferous forest with small areas of rough grazing/open land interspersed. strongly defined undulating topography with ridges and valleys creates a multi-scaled landscape with a variety of spaces. limited views out to upland areas. some car/refuse dumping minor eyesore/visual detractor.Appears to have been large areas felled on western edge recently. Unable to verify on site.

Q4 - Physical Form And Elements: Topographic Form?

  • High Hills/Mountains

Q5 - Physical Form And Elements: Landcover Pattern?

  • Woodland

Q6 - Physical form and elements: Settlement pattern

  • No settlements

Q7 - Physical form and elements: Boundary type

  • Mixture

Q8 - Aesthetic Qualities: Scale?

  • Large

Q9 - Aesthetic Qualities: Sense of Enclosure?

  • Enclosed

Q10 - Aesthetic Qualities: Diversity?

  • Simple

Q11 - Aesthetic Qualities: Texture?

  • Coarse

Q12 - Aesthetic Qualities: Lines?

  • Angular

Q13 - Aesthetic Qualities: Colour?

  • Moderate Contrasts

Q14 - Aesthetic Qualities: Balance?

  • Balanced

Q15 - Aesthetic Qualities: Unity?

  • Neutral

Q16 - Aesthetic Qualities: Pattern?

  • Regular

Q17 - Aesthetic Qualities: Seasonal Interest?

  • Winter
    • Evergreen colour

Q18 - Other Factors: Level of Human Access?

  • Rare

Q19 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q20 - Other Factors: Use of Construction Materials?

  • Generally Appropriate

Q21 - What materials? Give Details:

  • Empty value

Q22 - Attractive views (of high scenic quality, variations and typical views)?

  • Yes
    • Also refer to questions 62 to 64 on visible settings and key views. There are attractive views out from this area.

Q23 - Detractive views (of low or degraded scenic quality, variations and typical views)?

  • No
    • . Also refer to questions 62 to 64 on visible settings and key views.

Q24 - Perceptual and Other Sensory Qualities

  • Sheltered
  • Other
    • wind noise in trees

Q25 - What is the sense of place/local distinctiveness

  • Moderate
    • lack of specific sop

Condition

Q26 - Are there any significant threats to the current integrity and condition of the visual & sensory features of the area?

  • Not known

Q27 - Condition:

  • Unassessed

Q28 - Trend:

  • Constant

Recommendations

Q29 - Existing management

  • Unassessed

Q30 - Management recommendations

  • forestry. introduce broadleaf woodland mix, maintain open spaces. Implement Forest Design Plans. broadleaf planting along edge/stream course.

Q31 - Define the key qualities that should be conserved and enhanced

  • shelter.

Q32 - Define the key qualities that should be changed:

  • angularity

Q33 - Define the key elements that should be conserved and enhanced

  • trees.

Q34 - Define the key elements that should be changed:

  • soften edges

Tranquillity & Dark Skies

Q35 - Tranquillity information and links

  • Q35 Link to Tranquillity & Place Programme Overview and Index. Containing summaries and links relating to themes, indicators, reports, downloads, headlines, StoryMaps, webapps and guidance. https://landmap-portal.naturalresources.wales/downloads/Tranquillity_Place_Programme_Overview_Index_April_2026.docx Visit the NRW Local Tranquillity Assessment Guidance Dashboard, for a link to the published Guidance and use of the interactive mapping tool at https://luc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/0441bb4b932f49c582cad6803fc4da21

Q36a - Dark Skies light pollution % (Theme 3) <0.5

  • 15.4
    • Data has been classified into eight colour bands of brightness values (nw/cm2/sr). <0.5 (darkest); 0.5 - 1; 1 - 2; 2 - 4; 4 - 8; 8 - 16; 16 - 32 and > 32 (brightest). Lower values equate to lower light pollution and darker skies.

Q36b - Dark Skies light pollution % (Theme 3) 0.5-1

  • 72.7
    • Data has been classified into eight colour bands of brightness values (nw/cm2/sr). <0.5 (darkest); 0.5 - 1; 1 - 2; 2 - 4; 4 - 8; 8 - 16; 16 - 32 and > 32 (brightest). Lower values equate to lower light pollution and darker skies.

Q36c - Dark Skies light pollution % (Theme 3) 1-2

  • 8.1
    • Data has been classified into eight colour bands of brightness values (nw/cm2/sr). <0.5 (darkest); 0.5 - 1; 1 - 2; 2 - 4; 4 - 8; 8 - 16; 16 - 32 and > 32 (brightest). Lower values equate to lower light pollution and darker skies.

Q36d - Dark Skies light pollution % (Theme 3) 2-4

  • 3.1
    • Data has been classified into eight colour bands of brightness values (nw/cm2/sr). <0.5 (darkest); 0.5 - 1; 1 - 2; 2 - 4; 4 - 8; 8 - 16; 16 - 32 and > 32 (brightest). Lower values equate to lower light pollution and darker skies.

Q36e - Dark Skies light pollution % (Theme 3) 4-8

  • 0.7
    • Data has been classified into eight colour bands of brightness values (nw/cm2/sr). <0.5 (darkest); 0.5 - 1; 1 - 2; 2 - 4; 4 - 8; 8 - 16; 16 - 32 and > 32 (brightest). Lower values equate to lower light pollution and darker skies.

Q36f - Dark Skies light pollution % (Theme 3) 8-16

  • 0.0
    • Data has been classified into eight colour bands of brightness values (nw/cm2/sr). <0.5 (darkest); 0.5 - 1; 1 - 2; 2 - 4; 4 - 8; 8 - 16; 16 - 32 and > 32 (brightest). Lower values equate to lower light pollution and darker skies.

Q36g - Dark Skies light pollution % (Theme 3) 16-32

  • 0.0
    • Data has been classified into eight colour bands of brightness values (nw/cm2/sr). <0.5 (darkest); 0.5 - 1; 1 - 2; 2 - 4; 4 - 8; 8 - 16; 16 - 32 and > 32 (brightest). Lower values equate to lower light pollution and darker skies.

Q36h - Dark Skies light pollution % (Theme 3) >32

  • 0.0
    • Data has been classified into eight colour bands of brightness values (nw/cm2/sr). <0.5 (darkest); 0.5 - 1; 1 - 2; 2 - 4; 4 - 8; 8 - 16; 16 - 32 and > 32 (brightest). Lower values equate to lower light pollution and darker skies.

Q37a - Sound Environment Combined category 0 % (Theme 4)

  • 0.00
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37b - Sound Environment Combined category 1 % (Theme 4)

  • 0.06
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37c - Sound Environment Combined category 2 % (Theme 4)

  • 0.32
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37d - Sound Environment Combined category 3 % (Theme 4)

  • 0.57
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37e - Sound Environment Combined category 4 % (Theme 4)

  • 1.14
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37f - Sound Environment Combined category 5 % (Theme 4)

  • 2.16
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37g - Sound Environment Combined category 6 % (Theme 4)

  • 6.68
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37h - Sound Environment Combined category 7 % (Theme 4)

  • 70.80
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37i - Sound Environment Combined category 8 % (Theme 4)

  • 15.35
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37j - Sound Environment Combined category 9 % (Theme 4)

  • 2.93
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q37k - Sound Environment Combined category 10 % (Theme 4)

  • 0.00
    • Tranquillity and Place Sound Environment (Part 2) Report No: 736 https://naturalresourceswales.sharefile.eu/share/view/scb65ef647e91414faa82449c8410704f/fof17cc7-0d05-469d-a183-bd0fb08a28eb

Q38a - % in visually tranquil category 1

  • 0
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38b - % in visually tranquil category 2

  • 0
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38c - % in visually tranquil category 3

  • 0
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38d - % in visually tranquil category 4

  • 0
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38e - % in visually tranquil category 5

  • 0.24
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38f - % in visually tranquil category 6

  • 3.26
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38g - % in visually tranquil category 7

  • 27.96
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38h - % in visually tranquil category 8

  • 57.41
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38i - % in visually tranquil category 9

  • 11.13
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q38j - % in visually tranquil category 10

  • 0
    • Sourced from the nationally consistent Tranquillity & Place Visually Tranquil Areas version 2 re-published 2024 (rural themes 1, 2 and 3 combined). The visually tranquil categories range from 1 (least visually tranquil) to 10 (most visually tranquil).

Q39a - Tranquillity & Place overall category 1 % (Theme 6)

  • 0

Q39b - Tranquillity & Place overall category 2 % (Theme 6)

  • 0

Q39c - Tranquillity & Place overall category 3 % (Theme 6)

  • 0

Q39d - Tranquillity & Place overall category 4 % (Theme 6)

  • 0

Q39e - Tranquillity & Place overall category 5 % (Theme 6)

  • 0.06

Q39f - Tranquillity & Place overall category 6 % (Theme 6)

  • 3

Q39g - Tranquillity & Place overall category 7 % (Theme 6)

  • 29.77

Q39h - Tranquillity & Place overall category 8 % (Theme 6)

  • 62.66

Q39i - Tranquillity & Place overall category 9 % (Theme 6)

  • 4.52

Q39j - Tranquillity & Place overall category 10 % (Theme 6)

  • 0

Aspect Area Boundary

Q40 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?

  • Level 3

Q41 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?

  • Most

Q42 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?

  • OS Raster

Q43 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?

  • 1:25,000

Q44 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?

  • forest edge, study area boundary to east and south

Natural Beauty

Q45 - Contribution of this area to natural beauty

  • No Answer

Evaluation

Q46 - Evaluation Criteria: Scenic quality

  • Moderate
    • limited views

Q47 - Evaluation Criteria: Integrity

  • Moderate
    • the conifer plantation is generally intact, but some dumping of refuse/cars visual detractor

Q48 - Evaluation Criteria: Character

  • Moderate
    • moderate sop

Q49 - Evaluation Criteria: Rarity

  • Moderate

Q50 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation

  • Moderate
    • fairly typical upland plantation with moderate sop and limited views, mainly from higher open areas.

Q51 - Justification of overall evaluation

  • all criteria moderate for this typical upland plantation. it should be noted that the area has a recreational amenity value, indicated by picnic sites, trails and carparking

Information Sources

Q52 - Sources and additional assessments

  • No Answer

Q53 - Landscape Institute Landscape character assessment database

  • . Check the online resource for Wales for links to other relevant assessments e.g. NLCA, NMCA, LCA, LSCA, management plans, sensitivity assessments https://landscapeinstitute.org/technical-resource/landscape-character-assessment-lca-database/

LMP 14 & 09

Q54 - LANDMAP derived landscape types (LMP14)

  • Upland, exposed plateau, valleys, hillsides and scarp slopes (wooded 20-50%)

Q55 - LANDMAP derived landscape types (LMP09)

  • Upland >20% wooded

Unused

Q56 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q57 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q58 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q59 - Unused

  • No Answer

SLAs

Q60 - List the Special Landscape Areas (SLAs) in this local authority or region

  • Yes
    • For Bridgend - Foel y Dyffryn, Northern Uplands, Bryngarw Country Park, Merthyr Mawr Warren, Kinfig Burrows, Porthcawl Coast, Mynydd y Gaer, Western Uplands, Laleston For Caerphilly -Myynddislwyn, North Caerphilly, South Caerphilly, Upper Rhymney Valley, Gelligaer, Mynydd Eglwysilan For Rhondda Cynon Taf - Cwm Orci, Mynydd y Cymmer, Llwyncelyn Slopes, Talygarn Surrounds, Efail Isaf, Garth & Nantgarw Western Slopes, Craig yr Allt, Brecon Beacons Edge at Llwydcoed, Ely Valley at Miskin, Rhondda Fawr Northern Cwm & Slopes, Mynydd Troed y Rhiw Slopes, Cynon Valley Northern Slopes, Treforest Western Slopes, Hirwaun Common, Cwm Dare & Cwm Aman, Taff Vale Eastern Slopes, Mynydd y Glyn & Nant Muchudd Basin, Mynydd Hugh & Llantrisant Forest, Llanharry Surrounds, Llantrisant Surrounds, Coed yr Hendy and Mwyndy, Cwm Clydach

Q61 - SLA policy and resources

  • For Bridgend - Local Plan Policy EN3 Special Landscape Areas & supporting study. https://www.bridgend.gov.uk/media/2026/sd87.pdf For Caerphilly - Local Plan Policy NH1 Special Landscape Areas (Appendix 1) Local Plan Policy NH2 VILLS (Visually Important Local Landscapes) (Appendix 2) http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/CaerphillyDocs/LDP/Appendices-to-Written-Statement.aspx For Rhondda Cynon Taf - Local Plan Policy NSA25 & SSA23 Special Landscape Areas. https://www.rctcbc.gov.uk/EN/Resident/PlanningandBuildingControl/LocalDevelopmentPlans/LDPEvidenceBaseLibraryandAnnualMonitoringRe/RelateddocumentsEvidenceBase/EB49.pdf The Special Landscape Areas GIS dataset is available from DataMapWales https://datamap.gov.wales/layers/geonode:nrw_special_landscape_area

Visible Settings

Q62 - Visible settings of LANDMAP V&S areas

This is a Zone of Theoretical Visibility (ZTV), calculated using a 30 metre Digital Terrain Model (DTM), using multiple observer points scattered across the area, 1.5m above ground level, and taking into account the Earth’s curvature. The data does not extend beyond 35km from an observer point, meaning that more distant views may also be possible.

Q63 - Visible Settings of Designated Landscapes

Q64 - Key views into or out from Designated Landscapes