News archive

July 2004

Consultants appointed for Ebbw Vale regeneration

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the Welsh Development Agency have appointed Halcrow to carry out consultancy services to support the regeneration of the former Corus Ebbw Vale Tinplate Works in South Wales.

The aim of the commission is to enable the site to be brought back into sustainable and beneficial use, and marks the start of the programme that will realise the vision set out in the Ebbw Vale Master Plan and Development Framework. At some 80ha (200 acres), the Ebbw Vale site is one of the largest regeneration areas in the UK.

Work to support the regeneration has gathered pace since the works were closed on the 5 July 2002, exactly two years ago this week. In May 2003, following consultations with the public and project stakeholders, the master plan was published. This year marks the end of the demolition programme and the start of work to deliver development land. It is hoped that the first areas of development land will become available in 2005.

Richard Crook, Head of Business Services and Community Regeneration comments, “Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council, the WDA and Corus see the redevelopment of the site as a unique opportunity to achieve a step change in the economic, social and development prospects for Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent. The site is set to become a vibrant new urban quarter that works alongside the town centre, adding value and raising aspirations.”

Geraint Bowden of the WDA adds “Delivery of this very challenging project is a key step towards achieving the aims of the Five Counties and Blaenau Gwent Regeneration Frameworks. Effective partnership working will deliver a scheme which meets the needs and expectations of the community and key stakeholders, resulting in substantial physical, environmental, social and economic improvements to the area.”

James Colcombe, Halcrow’s Cardiff-based project manager comments, “Halcrow’s commission has been split into a number of stages, starting with site assessments and investigations and ending with detailed design and implementation. Throughout this process we will be ensuring that the development area meets the needs of the master plan and that the appropriate environmental measures are put in place. Ultimately, we will deliver a project that meets our clients’ sustainable objectives.”

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