A WELSH PERSPECTIVE ON LAND RECLAMATI D GWYN

A WELSH PERSPECTIVE ON LAND RECLAMATI D GWYN GRIFFITHS O. B. E. , B. Sc, C. Eng. , M. I. C. E, M. C. I. W. E. M Creu llwyddiant gyda’n gilydd dros Gymru Creating success together for Wales

What is the Role of WDA n Assess dereliction n Agree priorities and programmes n Manage programme funding and vet projects n Monitor projects n Promote and support research Why reclaim derelict land?

Priorities n Safety n Development n Environmental improvement n Essential first step in Regeneration What is Dereliction in Wales?

What has been achieved to date? n 1, 200 Projects, 11, 000 Hectares (27, 000 acres) n 150 Industrial sites, 100 Housing sites n Retail, Hotels, Pubs n Hospitals, Schools, Police Stations n Railway Stations, Cattle Market, 10 Marinas n 50 Roads and Road Improvements n 50 Playing Fields, 28 Lakes, 18 Country Parks n Removal of physical and chemical threats n Heritage Preservation

Examples of Change

International Experience Visits from Overseas Work Overseas n France n Italy n Belgium n China n Poland n Czech Republic

Technological Challenges Physical Geotechnical stability Treatment of shafts and shallow workings (NB Ironstone Roadways) Drainage Systems n French Drains, ditches n Channels (armoured) n Lakes and Ponds n Headings, Directional Drilling

Physical (Cont/d) Coal Washing n Plant types n Filter presses Open casting n Geotechnics n Create, don’t replicate

Chemical Challenges n Heavy Metals Lead mine Surveys Treatment Trials n Ammonium Nitrate n Fullers Earth n Carbon Disulphide n Phenols, PCBs, P. A. H, Benzene, Acid Tars, n Asbestos n Ferruginous Mine waters

Military n Mustard Gas n Tabun n TNT n Phosphorous Grenades n Land Mines n Hand Grenades n Detonators

Ecology n Grass n York and Newcastle Study n Brynbach Experiments n Chicken Litter n Rhizobium Inoculation n Species Invasion n Plant a tree in 73

Publications n Manual n Grass seed mixes n Working with Nature n Japanese Knotweed n Greening the Valleys

Challenges n Be realistic about the “Polluter Pays Principle” n Gather epidemiological data on health effects of contamination n Don’t lose sight of physical threats n Reclamation is only the start n Don’t develop brownfields just because they’re brown n Beware regulation stagnation n Procurement n Exploit our lead position

Measure True Capacity Building n Hazard Removal n Blight Removal n Development Opportunity n Development Leverage n New Landscape n New Assets n Heritage Conservation and Development n New Optimism and Hope

BEWARE COMPLACENCY

Thank you Any questions? Creu llwyddiant gyda’n gilydd dros Gymru Creating success together for Wales