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A New Vision for Blaenau Gwent

Former Steelworks Site, Ebbw Vale

There is a new vision for the future of Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent. The redevelopment of the former steelworks site provides the opportunity to establish Ebbw Vale as a benchmark for sustainable development. It will produce long term benefits for Ebbw Vale and the broader community of Blaenau Gwent, creating an exciting place to live, learn, work and play.

Artist’s View looking towards the Town Centre from the east

Ebbw Vale Former Steelworks Masterplan

A Masterplan has been prepared as part of the planning and approvals process for the site. The Masterplan proposes a mix of uses including the Learning Campus, Local General Hospital, Leisure Centre and sports pitches, a Theatre, high quality offices and around 500 homes.

Site earthworks have commenced including clean up of old industrial uses. Redevelopment of the site is expected to commence in 2007 and will be phased over a number of years.

Click the link to view/download The Masterplan / Prif Gynllun (539 KB PDF).

Sustainable Development Objectives

A sustainable development framework has been created for the project, setting out objectives, responsibilities and performance indicators. These will help to make the project an outstanding example of sustainable development in action.

Economic Objectives

The goal for the economic sustainability objectives is to maximise the economic benefit which can be delivered to local people and help achieve a sustainable economic future for Ebbw Vale and the wider Heads of the Valleys area.

This will be achieved through the following objectives:

To assist in creating a more dynamic and enterprising local economy through:

economic diversity
investment
local procurement

To maximise accessibility and employment for local people and wider Heads of the Valleys residents through:

providing appropriate employment
Providing training and skills development

Social Objectives

The aim of the social sustainability objectives is to improve the quality of life for local people through strengthening local communities, encouraging the participation of all residents and reaffirming the strong cultural identity of Ebbw Vale and the wider Heads of the Valleys area.

This will be achieved through the following objectives:

To strengthen the local community of Ebbw Vale and those of the wider Heads of the Valleys area through:

Strengthening community cohesion and relationships
Increasing the participation of the community
Strengthening local image and confidence

To improve the quality of life for local people through:

Creating a healthy environment for all people to enjoy; to increase wellbeing
To increase access for all residents to open spaces/facilities and landscapes/greenscapes

To increase social assets through investing in valuable social assets and key infrastructure such as housing.

Environmental Objectives

The aim of the environmental sustainability objectives is to provide strong stewardship of the natural, built and historic environment for the benefit of this and future generations of residents and visitors to Ebbw Vale.

This will be achieved through the following objectives:

To create and implement a best practice Environmental Management System.

To protect and enhance local biodiversity.

To protect and enhance the local landscape.

To enhance the local built environment through creating a high quality urban environment and through respecting the surrounding historic and archaeological environment and character.

Resource Objectives

The aim of the resource objectives is to reduce the ecological footprint of Ebbw Vale through implementing ambitious initiatives aimed at encouraging more sustainable use of resources, lowering emissions levels ad promoting recycling.

This will be achieved through the following objectives:

To promote more efficient energy use and reduce emissions through:

Establishing an ambitious target for development
Increasing access to public transport for residents and visitors

To protect water resources through reducing potential risks to water quality, prevent flooding impacts and utilising SUDS.

To restore local land resources through remediating and developing brownfield land.

To reduce materials use and minimise waste production through:

Building in a green procurement code for the contractor/developer
Encouraging greater reduction, reuse and recycling of materials
Building in green travel plans for construction

New Carbon Emissions Targets

Click the link to view/download Sustainable Development / Datblygiad Cynaliadwy (241 KB PDF).

Landscape and Environment

The landscape plan for the site provides for new green spaces and links to the existing town. There will be new parks and squares such as Market Square, Basement Park and Main Square. There will be a green bridge over the new railway line and road.

Click the link to view/download Landscape Environment / Tirwedd Amgylchedd (453 KB PDF)

Movement and Transport

The roads, footpaths and cycleways have been designed to separate through traffic from local traffic and be people and cyclist friendly with traffic calming and dedicated pedestrian and cycleways. Key transport features are the new railway line and peripheral distributor road.

Click the link to view/download Transport & Movement / Trafnidiaeth a Symudiad (492 KB PDF)

Design Codes

Codes are being developed for the site. These will be a series of documents that will describe how all elements of the scheme will look and work. They include principles of street and block layout, public spaces and will set standards and materials for houses, streets and the public realm.

Click the link to view/download Design Codes / Codau Cynllunio (535 KB PDF)

Planning and Approvals Process

The redevelopment will create:

economic regeneration through employment and economic activity associated with the development of new community facilities, business uses and residential development
community benefits including opportunities for new business and employment, new education opportunities, improved transport links and services and new recreation facilities
protection of environmental values with the establishment of a wetland and strong green linkages and pathways
a new standard of urban design for housing, energy efficiency, public spaces and buildings, streets and mixed uses. New housing will be built across the site, suitable for different needs and budgets.

Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and the Welsh Assembly Government are keen to ensure the proposed plans maximise social, economic and environmental benefits for local people. As part of this commitment, independent assessments of the proposed Masterplan are currently being undertaken and are expected tobe finalised in 2007.

The assessments include:

An Environmental Impact Assessment
A Health Impact Assessment
A Sustainability Assessment
Transport Asessment

These Assessments will help inform the design of the Masterplan and the proposed redevelopment. Design Codes and a Sustainability Framework will ensure the proposed plan reflects the highest standards of design and delivery, in line with national priorities and targets.

Consultation Process

Discussion Forum

A Discussion Forum which will be open to all who wish to comment on the Masterplan will be held at the Project Office on 18 January.

There will be two sessions: a) 12:30 to 3:00pm and b) 6:00 to 8:30pm.

Participants are welcome to arrive half an hour prior to this time to familiarise themselves with the consultation materials and to have some refreshments.

To reserve your place at the Discussion Forum please complete the online attendance form, indicating which session you wish to attend.

As part of the process of finalising the Masterplan, a formal consultation process is being undertaken to ensure everyone gets the opportunity to comment on the Masterplan and help shape the future of Ebbw Vale and Blaenau Gwent.

Consultation events include:

Permanent Exhibitions at:

The Project Office, Steelworks Road
The Viewing Platform at the West Gate of the site
The Civic Centre,
Municipal Offices,
Ebbw Vale Library

Moving Exhibition to be held at locations including Libraries across Blaenau Gwent:

Tredegar
Abertillery
Brynmawr

Site Visits are available to the public – for more information please contact the Project Office on 01495 355530.

There are also workshops for children and young people, employers and businesses, environmental and community representatives, and clipboard interviews on Market Days.

Everyone is encouraged to join in these events.

You can contact the Consultation Team by phone, email or letter:

By phone: 01495 355530

E-mail: richard.crook@blaenau-gwent.gov.uk

Alternatively, please write to:

Ebbw Vale Consultation,
The Project Office,
Steelworks Road,
Ebbw Vale,
NP23 6YL

It is possible to register any comments or inputs you may have by using the online survey form.

Downloads

The following documents are available for download. (Right click on the hyperlink and select “Save target as”).

Special Edition of the Valleys Voice (Winter 2006)

English Version (806 KB PDF)

Welsh Version (844 KB PDF)

Consultation Booklet (in both English and Welsh)

1. Welcome / Croeso (821 KB PDF)

2. The Vision / Y Weledigaeth (1,197 KB PDF)

3. The Masterplan / Prif Gynllun (539 KB PDF)

4. Landscape Environment / Tirwedd Amgylchedd (453 KB PDF)

5. Transport & Movement / Trafnidiaeth a Symudiad (492 KB PDF)

6. Artist’s View / Golwg Arlunydd (775 KB PDF)

7. Design Codes / Codau Cynllunio (535 KB PDF)

8. Basement Park / Parc Islawr (640 KB PDF)

9. Sustainable Development / Datblygiad Cynaliadwy (241 KB PDF)

10. Sustainable Energy / Ynni cynaliadwy (365 KB PDF)

11. Your Views / Eich Barnau (757 KB PDF)