Brownfield Land Wales 2019

This case-study-based presentation will demonstrate how focus on the delivery of client-orientated and high quality data has led to the adoption of a technology-based approach to data management & presentation

• Exploring technology-enabled data collection in the field – the use of tablets rather than note books
• Assessing mistakes and missed data opportunities - the importance of robust data management 
• Long-term management of data and changing the pace of reporting

Phil Necrews

Senior Consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM)

• Examining the benefits that site-based data collection is intended to bring 
• Exploring some of the new available technologies and their application to different stages of the site investigation and remediation process:
  • effective use of remote telemetry monitoring to improve field data collection
• Exploiting data analysis techniques such as GIS, 3D modelling and statistics to add value to your desk study and give a better visualisation and understanding of the site
• Proving the validity and accuracy of new techniques to the regulator – what will they accept and what evidence is required for LA and regulatory sign-off?

Chris Piddington

Technical Director, Site Evaluation & Restoration, Arcadis

• Outlining how changes to Welsh Planning Policy Frameworks will facilitate brownfield development:
  • Welsh Planning Policy Guidance v10 (published Dec 2018) 
  • draft National Planning Framework (July 2019)
  • highlighting key differences between Welsh and English Planning Policy Guidance
• Outlining how the management of contaminated land feeds into the Well-Being of Future Generations (Wales) Act
  • how are the goals of the Act considered in any funding or proposals for the investigation/remediation of potential sites?
• Exploring what is being done to bring vacant land forward and improve housing land availability in Wales:
  • Stalled Sites Fund
  • examining the possible introduction of a Vacant Land Tax?
• Update on work being done to create a Planning Inspectorate for Wales and a separate Welsh Planning Code

Mark Roberts

Director, Barton Willmore

• Exploring how the process from site investigation to remediation to redevelopment could be simplified and accelerated
• Discussing how local authorities, remediation consultants & contractors and other stakeholders can work together effectively to overcome the challenges associated with developing contaminated land 

This session will take the form of an extended audience Q&A discussion. All conference participants are encouraged to ask questions and share their own thoughts and experiences relevant to the issues outlined. 

This session will feature a practical case study of a remediation and brownfield development project in Wales.

Martin Holmes

UK Operations Director, Celtic EnGlobe

• Clarifying the requirements of current regulations for ground gas and vapour risk assessment on development sites and recent progress made both in the UK and internationally
• Understanding where uncertainties and misconceptions occur in risk-assessing the most common contaminants and how these can be addressed:
• techniques for preventing overly conservative or incorrect assessments
• Clarifying the Regulator’s stance on new techniques for monitoring and risk-assessing ground gas
• Case Study: Evaluating the cost-benefits of complete continuous monitoring in maximising data collection and adding value to your ground gas and VOC risk assessments

Steve Wilson

Technical Director, The Environmental Protection Group Ltd (EPG)

• Exploring the amount and type of subsurface information available and the extent to which it is not currently used
• Introducing the Dig-To-Share initiative aiming to “unlock” data, make it widely available, and reduce the costs and risks of brownfield development
• The Cardiff Geo-Energy Observatory - project background and future goals
• New modelling and software tools to facilitate site characterisation and achieve a better understanding of contaminated sites 

Steve Thorpe

Geospatial Data Specialist, British Geological Survey

• Outlining the role of the Coal Authority
• Tip management & historic legacy
• Tip inspections & monitoring
• Good environmental management
• Other tips
• Conclusions

Darren Bryant

Principal Project Manager, The Coal Authority

• Detailing the practical use of waste classification guidance vs Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC) testing – key differences and implications

Tim Morris

Senior Waste Advisor, Natural Resources Wales

• Outlining sustainability from a contractors viewpoint
• Discussing the key processes that should be followed to make a project as sustainable as possible
• Using Case Studies to highlight the benefits of sustainability to all Stakeholders

Neil Hopkins

Project Director, VertaseFLI