The Lost Peatlands of South Wales (LPSW) project was delivered through a dedicated partnership bringing together organisations with the specialist expertise required to meet the project’s objectives and outcomes. Following a two‑year development period beginning in 2019, the project received £1.56 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) for full delivery, supported by substantial match funding — predominantly from Vattenfall’s Pen y Cymoedd Wind Farm Habitat Management Fund — bringing the total project value to over £2.8 million.
A formal Partnership Agreement governed how partners worked together, defined roles and responsibilities, and ensured effective and coordinated delivery. A Partnership Steering Board provided strategic oversight, guided decision‑making, and ensured that the project remained aligned with its long‑term aims.
Although the funded delivery phase has now concluded, the partnership continues to work collaboratively through long‑term monitoring, shared research, land‑management commitments and ongoing community engagement, forming an important post‑project legacy.
The Lost Peatlands of South Wales project was delivered by the following organisations:
- Neath Port Talbot Council
- Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council
- National Lottery Heritage Fund
- Coed Lleol (Small Woods Wales)
- Natural Resources Wales
- Swansea University
Lost Peatlands Connections: Development and Future Ambition
Building on the success of the original project, a new partnership has completed a second development phase, running from April 2025 to April 2026. This phase was supported by £263,309 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, representing 79% of the approved £334,432 development budget (including match funding).
A full application has now been submitted to the NLHF for a second major delivery phase, which — if approved — would run until late 2029 and significantly extend the scale of restoration, engagement and heritage work across the uplands. The partnership is currently awaiting the funding decision.
