The Works:Ebbw Vale hosts WRAP workshop on deriving competitive advantage from implementing sustainable landscapes

The workshop, ‘Investing in green space; deriving competitive advantage from designing and implementing sustainable landscapes’, will take place on Wednesday 23rd March at The Works, Ebbw Vale, in Blaenau Gwent, a site that has benefitted substantially from advice and support given by WRAP’s Landscape and Regeneration  programme.

Adrian Jones, from the Welsh Assembly Government’s Waste Strategy Unit, will provide the keynote presentation at the event. In addition speakers from the Landscape Institute Wales, WRAP Cymru and The Works Ebbw Vale Regeneration Project will provide an insight into best practice in the use of quality compost. WRAP will also introduce delegates to its recently published Good Practice Guide, an evidence-based document from which sound advice can be obtained on the specification and use of BSI PAS 100 quality compost in landscaping and regeneration.

Lance Jones from WRAP Cymru said:

“This is an opportunity for individuals from various sectors in Wales to come together to explore the benefits of implementing sustainable landscapes and to discuss the particular challenges they face. It will also be an opportunity for guests to participate in round table discussions, facilitated by those experienced in the use of quality compost in on-site soil manufacture and land regeneration.”

The steelworks at Ebbw Vale were demolished in 2004, leaving behind a derelict 80 hectare brownfield site. Redevelopment had to ensure both sustainable integration into the surrounding landscape and compliance with UK and EU initiatives for the protection of topsoil. Following advice and support from WRAP Cymru, nearly 100,000 tonnes of topsoil was manufactured using BSI PAS 100 locally-sourced compost to create 10 hectares of urban green space, including significant areas of woodland.

Councillor Des Hillman, leader of Blaenau Gwent Council, said:

“Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council is delighted to be hosting this event at The Works: Ebbw Vale to showcase how successful this element of the project has been.  Using this method, an excellent quality top soil was created to landscape The Central Valley Wetland Park, providing an economic and sustainable alternative to importing and we are keen to share our experience with others.

“The Works: Ebbw Vale is one of the most exciting regeneration projects in the UK and potentially in Europe at the moment, and with projects and partners such as WRAP we are able to consistently reduce our carbon footprint.”

Richard Crook from the project will be presenting at the workshop and reporting on the progress made at the site since work began. Delegates will also be given a tour of The Works: Ebbw Vale project as part of the day’s programme.

The seminar will take place on 23 March from 9.30am until 3.00pm.  Numbers are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.  

If you are interested in attending this event, please email wendy.cleveland@wrap.org.uk.