Natural Resources Wales (NRW) will begin work to improve Newborough Forest from autumn 2026, as part of a long-term plan to protect it for future generations.
This work will deliver an approved 30-year Forest Resource Plan. The aim is to restore more natural woodland along the dunes and allow important sand dune habitats to expand. It will also help strengthen and protect the conifer forest further inland.
As part of the programme, some trees will be thinned and felled. This is needed to keep the forest healthy, increase the range of species, and remove trees that are diseased, damaged or reaching the end of their life. Over time, this will help create more natural dune landscapes and native broadleaf woodland.
Work is planned to begin in October 2026. During this time, there will be temporary road closures, traffic management and changes to parking to keep people safe. Visitors will be told in advance so they can plan their journeys.
Alongside the forestry work, NRW is also looking at ways to improve access and facilities. NRW is working with subcontractors to assess potential options for a new access route at the northern end of the existing car park. These ideas are still in the early design stages and will need full environmental surveys before any decisions are made.
Dylan Williams, North West Operations Manager Land & Assets at NRW, said:
“Newborough is a changing landscape, and carefully planned forest thinning works are central to helping the site adapt for the future. These works will also help create opportunities to explore more sustainable options, including a potential new access route.
“Pressures such as coastal erosion, shifting dunes and climate change mean the current landscape and access arrangements are becoming less sustainable. With rising costs and increasing safety concerns, it’s important we act now. We’re taking an evidence-based approach to manage the forest and surrounding environment, supporting natural processes while keeping visitors safe and protecting this unique landscape.”
Members of the public will be invited to drop-in sessions to find out more, ask questions and hear about the long-term plans for Newborough Forest. The next drop-in session is scheduled for 1–7pm on 11 June at the Prichard Jones Institute, Newborough.
If you believe you have been issued an incorrect penalty notice at the site, please contact the parking company directly in the first instance. For all enquiries relating to resident parking at the site, please contact NRW via email at niwbwrch@cyfoethnaturiolcymru.gov.uk or by telephone on 0300 065 3000. To ensure enquiries are managed efficiently, we kindly ask that members of the public do not contact individual officers directly by phone or email.
