Banc Woodland, Carmarthen, South-West Wales SA19

Banc Woodland - 144.62 Hectares / 357.36 Acres

Location
Banc Woodland is located in Carmarthenshire approximately 7 miles to the southeast of the small market town of Llanybydder. Carmarthen is approximately a 40-minuite drive to the south.
The property lies at the centre of Brechfa Forest, a 6,500 hectare forest complex owned by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). There are a number of nearby sawmills in relatively close proximity, most notably, Teifi Timber products at Llanllwni (6 miles), Volac CHP plant, Lampeter (17 miles) and BSW at Newbridge-on-Wye (45 miles). The grid reference of the main property entrance is SN 557 366. The nearest postcode SA19 7RA and the What3Words code //loans.jetting.irrigate

Directions and Access
From Llanybydder head east on the B4337 signed Rhydcymerau. After 0.4 mile turn right onto Heol y Dderi signed Llidiadnenog. Follow the road uphill for approximately 2 miles where you enter a block of commercial forestry. After a further 2.7 miles bear left after the cattlegrid. After 0.6 mile enter the hamlet of Llodoad Nennog and take the left hand turn just after the old red phone box. Follow the road for approximately 1 mile and the property entrance is at the second cattle grid, shown as point A1 on the sale plan. The woodland benefits an extensive, recently constructed, high quality internal road. There is a substantial area of hard standing which will be utilised as a stacking yard when timber harvesting commences.

Description
Banc Woodland is an exceptional, high-yielding, established plantation of Sitka spruce and other conifers. This is complimented by fast growing native broadleaves, designated open ground and 28.6 hectares of maturing sessile oak. 18,350 high integrity Pending Issuance Units (PIUs), valuable for carbon offsetting, were registered with the Woodland Carbon Code (WCC) in 2022 and validated in November 2023.

Established in 2022 on predominantly Grade 4 land, 50% of the site is Sitka spruce, 15% Douglas fir, 12% Norway spruce and the remainder native broadleaves. The improved Sitka spruce comprises A17 & A18 provenance and showing excellent leader growth. Entering its fourth growing season it is estimated to be in excess of Yield Class 28. 'La Luzette' provenance Douglas fir is showing impressive early growth. This seed source typically produces a tree with good young vigour together with a late bud burst, which protects it from spring frosts. The Norway spruce originates from a qualified Swedish seed orchard. The conifer mix adds diversity and resilience to this commercial plantation. Thinning could take place from potentially year 17, perhaps earlier and then subsequent thinning every 5 years thereafter.

The semi mature oak will produce firewood and other products from regular thinnings. A further thinning could take place in 2026. Newly planted broadleaves comprise improved Danish sycamore, improved UK birch and locally sourced sessile oak. Not only will these broadleaves add to the diversity, but it will also enhance amenity value and provide future timber income. Furthermore, the 79,248 young broadleaf trees will act as a long-term carbon sink.

Forest Certification
The woodland is dual certified through Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

Carbon
22,020 tonnes of CO2e, the equivalent of the total CO2e produced by 1,700 people for one year, will be sequestered over the next 100 years by the recently planted trees at Banc Woodland. After a 20% buffer is applied, this leaves 18,350 carbon credits that could be used to offset individual or business emissions once verified as Woodland Carbon Units (WCUs). Where any future owner of the property prefers to monetise the carbon credits, rather than using them for offsetting emissions internally, credits can be sold either as pending issuance units (PIUs) or WCUs to other entities for their own offsetting needs. As PIUs convert to WCUs 100% of them can be sold at pre-agreed pricing under contract. Or a blend of contracted offtake and merchant strategy can be pursued. For example, [50%] of credits committed under contract at fixed CPI-linked pricing with [50%] of credits left uncommitted for (i) trading in the spot market or (ii) using for own offsetting purposes, later.

The Woodland Carbon Code is the UK verifier. More information can be found -
The UK's Net Zero Policy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 100% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels.

Forest Grants
The annual maintenance payments for Banc are £37,252.60 until 2034 inclusive. I.e £372,252 total. The 2025 payment to be apportioned between Vendor and Purchaser. The young plantation is managed under the Glastir Woodland Creation Scheme.

Boundaries
The boundary fence with Banc Farm and buildings (not included in the sale) remains 100% maintenance liability of the farm.

Wayleaves & Third-Party Rights
There is a right of access in favour of Banc Farm, shown as A1-A2 on the sale plan.