http://www.blrs.org/FeedWriter/rss.php http://www.blrs.org/FeedWriter/rss.php http://www.blrs.org/images/background/titleimage.gif http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=0 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:40:44 +0100
For more information see the CIRIA website . ]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=1 Tue, 22 Sep 2009 21:58:55 +0100
Please see www.conference2010.blrs.org for more information. Abstract submission is online at the website, and will require you to pre-register on the website so that the whole process can be through the website. ]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=2 Tue, 18 Aug 2009 07:35:53 +0100
The land remediation released contaminated dust that "could realistically have caused" 16 children to be born with defects such as missing or underdeveloped fingers or deformed feet.

The story that made the front pages in the national news may mark the beginning of significant changes for the brownfield industry and trigger thousands of other cases against councils.

For more information see Brownfield Briefing:

http://www.brownfieldbriefing.com/news/corby-case-could-hamper-brownfield-land-development

http://www.brownfieldbriefing.com/news/corby-council-liable]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=3 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:57:39 +0100
The conference aims to address current issues in the restoration of former brownfield sites. It will focus not only on the technical aspects of land regeneration but also on planning and community involvement in the successful environmental, economic and social recovery of such sites.

Please pre-register on the conference website to stay up to date with news and information on the conference:

Conference website

The first flyer has also been released to accompany the call for abstracts:

]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=4 Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:52:23 +0100

Tackling contamination
Mine water treatment
Ecological restoration
Dealing with invasive species
Innovative techniques
Land use planning and regeneration
Legislation and land reclamation
Community engagement in regeneration
Restoration of difficult sites
Interacting with industrial heritage
Risk assessment of brownfield sites
The economics of restoration and recovery


Please pre-register and submit papers online using the website

www.conference2010.blrs.org]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=5 Sun, 14 Jun 2009 18:18:15 +0100 Panshanger Park and Waterford Quarry, Hertfordshire

Thursday 9th July 2009

Having had two recent visits to large regeneration schemes (Longbridge and Waverley); the summer BLRS visit will focus on land and ecological restoration after mineral working in Hertfordshire, hosted by Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), Viridor Waste Management and Lafarge Aggregates. HCC's Restoration Manager, Andy McIntosh, will guide us with the respective site owners around two quite different sites. It is very much an outdoor, walk and talk visit.

For more information and to register please use the forms:
Programme
Registration Form ]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=6 Thu, 21 May 2009 19:16:10 +0100
The Society was established in 1992 and merged with the NLRP in 2008 to further enhance its work and reputation. The Society is truly multidisciplinary representing most professions involved in land reclamation and broader regeneration.

We now seek an individual with an active interest in the subject and the vision to help us grow to our next stage. It is envisaged that the role will initially be for 1-2 days per week for a 6 month period to allow the Development Officer and Management Committee to assess the growth potential for the Society.

Good contacts/networks within the brownfield reclamation and regeneration industry are vital to the success of the role.

See here for further details on how to apply.
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=7 Sun, 19 Apr 2009 19:34:38 +0100
Our hosts will be the site owners UKCOAL and site planners Atisreal UK. The venue will be the new Technology Centre at the Advanced Manufacturing Park, Brunel Way, Rotherham, itself built within the first phase of redeveloped brownfield land at the former Orgreave site.

The day will begin with the BLRS Annual General Meeting . This is a chance for members to say how the society is run and opportunities to get more involved.

After the AGM, Atisreal UK project manager John Dunshea will describe the legacy, present challenges and future scope of the Waverley site. We will hear how the whole 741 acre site is seen as a national example of creating a small town of highly sustainable, environmentally sound housing, alongside a mix of commercial development anticipated to generate 10,000 jobs. The most recent phase includes an outline planning application submitted to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for approximately 4,000 houses, community facilities and green areas, together with a series of public consultation meetings in the area. There are also public access proposals to deliver 25 kilometres of new and restored footpaths, cycle routes and bridleways, linking local communities and helping to deliver government targets on sustainable transport and public health.

The second presentation will be from Sue Anderson, Director Designate of Harworth Estates (UKCOAL's property arm) who will describe the structure and operation of The Waverley Management Company. She will then throw the meeting open for a question and answer forum. She anticipates lots of questions!

After a buffet lunch there will be an opportunity to have a guided tour of the Waverley site in land rovers. The tour will include a visit to the highest point "The Hill" where we will have a useful overview of the whole 741 acre site. The tour will also visit the lakes, which are part of a surface water management scheme and a wildlife area.

The BLRS look forward to seeing you on the 29th April at Waverley. Please email for more information, info@blrs.org, or download the programme or Registration Form .
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=8 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:58:32 +0100 Following last month's planning approval for the new visitor centre and facilities, the way is now clear to allow construction work to begin.

The reserve will be the gateway to Preston and to the tourist attractions of the area. Although long known as one of the premier sites in the Northwest for migrating birds, it has no visitor facilities and is in need of work to make it safe and welcoming for visitors.
The investment has been made under 'Newlands', a NWDA and Forestry Commission programme that is regenerating brownfield land across the Northwest into economically viable community woodland. Launched in 2003, Newlands is investing a total of £59million into the region.

Ian Selby, Brockholes Project Manager, said 'We are absolutely delighted that the NWDA has recognized the importance of this project for the people and wildlife of Lancashire and beyond. This iconic development will demonstrate that wildlife can co-exist with people inside such a visitor attraction. We will have educational facilities alongside the usual visitor comforts and are hoping that we will attract day trippers, school parties, stop-offs and dedicated wildlife enthusiasts. We are creating jobs and adding to the appeal of the area for visitors. The centre will eventually be self-funding and will guarantee the future of the reserve for future generations.'

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive at the NWDA said:
'The Brockholes development will not only provide an important and distinctive visitor attraction for the region, but will also influence future investment for the area with economic and social impacts felt at both a local and regional level. 'The NWDA recognises that Brockholes is a key site for the region and is pleased to support the development. With an increase in visitor and tourism facilities on site and the provision of well managed green space for local people it will enhance the positive perception of England's Northwest as a whole.'

Keith Jones, Regional Director of the Forestry Commission said:

'The Forestry Commission and NWDA are now looking forward to working with Lancashire Wildlife Trust to transform Brockholes. Together we will create a high quality wetland and woodland environment, which will enhance the local economy with jobs and investment, offer a high quality visitor experience and also provide a much needed green space for local communities and nature. As well as becoming an important natural environment attraction in its own right, Brockholes will make a significant contribution to the natural economy of the Northwest region.'

Construction will start later in 2009, using the 'Floating World' designs by Adam Khan, the winner of the international, RIBA-sponsored design competition which took place in 2008. The reserve is scheduled to open to the public in 2011.

Brockholes will be one of the key attractions in the new Ribble Coast and Wetlands Regional Park, which stretches down the tidal reaches of the River Ribble to the Fylde coast.

www.lancswt.org.uk]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=9 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 19:42:17 +0000 BLRS AGM and Spring Conference 2009: April 29th
Advanced Technology Park, Waverley, Rotherham, South Yorkshire.
Programme
Registration Form

For AGM documents (Nomination forsm, past minutes etc) members can login and download them from the governance section. Any problems please email info@blrs.org. ]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=10 Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:05:10 +0000
www.mineclosure2009.com

How do you close mines in socially, economically and environmentally responsible ways? The University of Western Australia's Australian Centre for Geomechanics and Centre for Land Rehabilitation are calling for papers for the Fourth International Conference on Mine Closure 2009 where these issues will be on the agenda.

Some of the conference themes are: planning for closure in an uncertain future; managing unplanned closure; costing closure correctly; recognising and accounting for closure liabilities; dealing with stakeholder concerns; long-term geotechnical stability; reducing long-term water management costs; climate change and mine site rehabilitation; and restoring natural ecosystems.

Plenary speakers are Professor Martin Fey, The University of Western Australia, Professor Alan Baker from The University of Melbourne, Dr Gary Bentel of BHP Billiton, and Mr Howard Smith of the Northern Land Council.

The Australian Centre for Geomechanics is a not-for-profit mining research centre based at The University of Western Australia, Perth. The Centre undertakes research, education and training activities in the geomechanics disciplines to provide industry with the necessary tools and knowledge to ensure that safety is not simply a priority on par with productivity, but rather a guiding ethic.

The Centre for Land Rehabilitation is a multi-disciplinary centre applying soil science, geomechanics, hydrology, soil and plant biology, plant nutrition, ecology and resource economics to the management of disturbed lands.

Abstracts should be submitted by February 16 and papers by April 27.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=11 Wed, 28 Jan 2009 09:42:07 +0000
The 2009 workshop programme covers some new topics including determining SPOSH, how to write Part IIA tender specifications, and an introduction to the use of statistics in contaminated land assessment.

Further details on workshops and how to register can be obtained by clicking on this link to their website. This is based at the CIRIA portal for contaminated land information in the UK (www.contaminated-land.org).

]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=12 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:34:31 +0000
The ASMR are members of the International Affiliation of Land Reclamationists (IALR), as are ourselves, and there is a call for relevant articles for the IALR newsletter, due in by 31st March 2009. Email info@blrs.org in the first instance, so that articles can be forwarded to the BRLS IALR contact, Steve Smith.

This is also a good time to remind members that they can submit relevant articles for publication in our own newsletter Reclamation. Enquiries can be sent to either info@blrs.org or newsletter@blrs.org.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=13 Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:13:26 +0000
Comments are to be submitted by 27th Feb 2009, to Brian Stokes:

brian.stokes@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Or you can contact the BLRS at info@blrs.org and your comment can be included as part of a co-ordinated response.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=14 Wed, 03 Dec 2008 20:03:53 +0000
The area stretches east from the 2012 Olympic site, well into the Thames Estuary, as part of the Thames Gateway regeneration.

See the full story here.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=15 Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:44:06 +0000
Entries that demonstrate best practice whilst contributing to the five objectives of IEEM were welcomed from all sectors of the ecology profession including the public, voluntary and consultancy sectors, and projects of any size will be considered. At least one IEEM member must have been involved in the project.

The five objectives of IEEM are:
to advance the science and practice of ecology and environmental management for the public benefit in the United Kingdom and internationally;
to further the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity and maintenance of ecological processes and life support systems essential to a fully functional biosphere;
to further environmentally sustainable management and development;
to promote and encourage education, training, study and research in the science and practice of ecology, environmental management and sustainable development; and
to establish, uphold and advance the standards of education, qualification, competence and conduct of those who practise ecology and environmental management as a profession and for the benefit of the public.

The winner will be announced at the IEEM conference in Glasgow on 19 November 2008.

Note:
The Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (IEEM) is the leading organisation supporting and promoting professionalism in the field of ecology and environmental management. The Institute was established in 1991 and currently has over 3,500 members drawn from local authorities, government agencies, industry, environmental consultancy, teaching/research, and voluntary environmental organisations.
IEEM is a member of:
- The Society for the Environment
- The European Federation of Associations of Environmental Professionals
- IUCN -- The World Conservation Union
- Countdown 2010
- The EUROPARC Federation
- Eurosite
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=16 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:06:25 +0000 Innovation Centre, Longbridge Technology Park
1 Devon Way, Birmingham, B31 2TW
November 20th 2008

Car production at Longbridge, near Birmingham began in 1905 and the car production factory has been an icon of British car making for more than a century. Today most of the former production plant has been cleared and developer St Mowden and joint land owner Advantage West Midlands are progressing with work on the regeneration of the Longbridge site.

Halcrow Yolles has worked with St Modwen for the past seven years and, as lead consultant for the Longbridge project, they provide advice on engineering, design and management services for this prestigious 15-year re-development project. This visit will be hosted by Halcrow Yolles in the Marketing Suite of the recently built Innovation Centre at Longbridge Technology Park. This suite of buildings is the first phase of the largest regeneration project in the West Midlands, which aims to provide a sustainable community with the creation of 10,000 new jobs and up to 1,500 homes and a new town centre with an excellent public transport network.

The visit will provide delegates with an insight into the overall scheme, the geo-environmental challenges faced and the regeneration master plans for the future. The afternoon site visit will probably be on foot to sites close to the Innovation Centre.

To register, return a registration form before 14th November. Please email with any enquiries, and details and further information can be found below:

Programme
Registration form
Registration form

]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=17 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:41:42 +0000 The new merged society was formally opened with an event at the Northern Regeneration Summit on the 22nd October. A workshop was held to promote the BLRS and explain more about our history and plans for the future with presentations by Euan Hall (Chair), Elizabeth Simmons (Honorary Treasurer) and David Morris (Vice-Chair).

The workshop also included a presentation by Gill Taylor, Chief Executive of the Academy for Sustainable Communities (www.ascskills.org.uk) entitled 'Helping to deliver the Brownfield Skills Agenda'. A subject that the BLRS are in a unique position to inform due to our multidisciplinary membership. Read more about it in the next issue of Reclamation, the BLRS newsletter.
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=18 Mon, 22 Sep 2008 17:45:22 +0100
Imerys' eco town bid forms part of a wider regeneration strategy in the mid Cornwall clay area, following industry restructuring announced in 2006. Imerys appointed planning consultants Terence O'Rourke to help them raise awareness of the need for a comprehensive, sustainable regeneration strategy. There was previously no relevant policy for the china clay area.

Imerys and Terence O'Rourke worked with Restormel Borough Council, Cornwall County Council and the South West of England Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) to create a draft regeneration framework, which formed part of the eco town bid. The Government plans 10 new environmentally-friendly towns, the first new towns since the 1960s.

Early concepts for the massive regeneration and restoration programme were revealed in April 2008. Only one third of Imerys' total surplus land will be used for built development and this will be managed across six distinct sites. Up to 5,000 energy efficient homes are proposed.

The remaining two thirds of the land will be sympathetically restored to reflect the unique character of the mid Cornwall area and used largely for recreation and leisure by local people and visitors to the area.

Laraine Southwood, Technical Director at Terence O'Rourke, said: "Reaching the final 15 is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved in Imerys' Clay Country Vision. This is an ambitious, exciting, employment-led regeneration strategy for the mid Cornwall china clay area, which has led to a robust regeneration strategy, where none existed before.

"The public consultation process is about to start and we will continue to work with local people and stakeholders to ensure that the resulting proposals deliver a bright future for the china clay area."

The final shortlist will be released later this year.

For more information, please contact:

Lee Williams
Communications Manager, Terence O'Rourke, Everdene House, Deansleigh Road, Bournemouth, BH7 7DU
T: 01202 421142
F: 01202 430055
E: lee.williams@torltd.co.uk

Note: Original press release date: 8 April 2008 on the Terrance O'Rourke website.
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=19 Thu, 18 Sep 2008 14:31:28 +0100
The host for the evening was Prof Chris Baines, one of the UK's leading environmental campaigners, and an award-winning writer and TV broadcaster. Also addressing guests was Euan Hall, Chief Executive of the Land Restoration Trust and Chair of the British Land Reclamation Society.

These Awards aim to recognise best practice in remediation and use of remediation technology throughout the UK.

This event was sponsored by Landmark, ERM, GroundSure, National Grid, and the NHBC. It was also supported by BURA and IEMA.

For details of these entries and the runners up click on the link here .

The Brownfield Briefing Remediation Innovation Awards for 2009 will be held on 15th September with calls for entries announced late April, 2008. For more information on the Brownfield Briefing Remediation Innovation Awards, please contact Anna Cairncross, Head of Marketing:
Email: annacairncross@newzeye.com Tel: + 44 (0)20 8969 1008
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=20 Sat, 16 Aug 2008 10:38:30 +0100
Large Sites and Mega Sites is the title of the workshop and more details can be found here.

It is hosted by Land Restoration Trust, at Haydock Park Racecourse, Newton-le-Willows, Merseyside, WA12 0HQ. LRT's contact for information is Deborah Holmwood (Email: deborahholmwood@landrestorationtrust.org.uk, Tel: 01925 644779). A booking form can be found here.

As this is not a BLRS organised event, any member wishing to attend the
workshop should make their booking direct with SAGTA, but you might wish
to note your BLRS membership on the registration form.
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=21 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 13:39:03 +0100
The 3rd International Conference on Managing Urban Land is being organised by CABERNET and the Etablissement public foncier de l'Ouest Rhône Alpes (EPORA) in Saint-Etienne, France.

EPORA is a public land management authority, created in 1998 heading brownfield regeneration work in liaison with the local authorities and planners of the Rhône-Alpes region, namely Saint-Etienne.

CABERNET, Europe's sustainable brownfield regeneration network, aims to share good practice and the develop cross-disciplinary shared understanding essential to cost effective, socially desirable and environmentally benevolent regeneration.

Short abstracts (200 words) or suggestions for special sessions are requested by 31 October 2008. The programme committee is particularly interested in case studies representing best practices that are transferable to other regions and countries. Short papers/ extended abstracts will be published.

For more information, see the flyer, or the website www.cabernet.org.uk .
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=22 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:12:34 +0100
This new guidance provides user-friendly, accessible and pragmatic advice for developers, regulators and their specialist advisers. It promotes good practice and provides helpful pointers, templates and worked examples. While focussing on housing development, it is also of use when any development is proposed on brownfield or greenfield land affected by contamination. As a result, it is a particularly relevant subject area for the BLRS and our members.

The document can be downloaded for free in two PDF's from the following location:
Volume 1: Guidance on the safe development of homes on contaminated land (revised)
Volume 2: Appendices and Annexes

More information on the role of CIEH's (Chartered Institute of Environmental Health) work within the contaminated land sector is available here.
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=23 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 09:00:02 +0100
Now in its fourth year, the Brownfield Briefing Remediation Awards recognise best practice in remediation and use of remediation technology throughout the UK. All entries will be assessed by an independent panel of experts from the remediation industry, members of the CL:AIRE Technology and Research Group and academia. The winners will be announced at a gala dinner to be held at the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel, London on Tuesday 16 September 2008. The host for the dinner this year is Chris Baines, one of UK's leading environmental campaigners, advising government and industry on environmental practice.

This is your opportunity to raise the reputation of your organisation and the importance of innovation across your industry; impress your clients and your colleagues and celebrate your success - you know you and your team deserve the recognition.

The Awards are held in conjunction with the Brownfield Briefing annual "Contaminated Land and Remediation" conference.

Entries to these Awards are free and full details and the entry form can be downloaded from this link.

Closing date for entries is 1 August 2008

The categories this year are:
1. Best use of a single remediation technique
2. Best use of a combination of remediation techniques
3. Best conceptual design
5. Most innovative remediation method
6. Best project closure/verification process
7. Most sustainable remediation project
8. Best communication/stakeholder engagement (new)
9. Best recovery of land for heritage/community use (new)

BB are proud to have the 2008 Awards sponsored by Landmark, ERM, GroundSure, National Grid Property and NHBC, and supported by BURA and IEMA.

The gala dinner will be held at the Radisson SAS Portman Hotel in central London on the evening of 16th September - as usual this will be a night to remember - a booking form can be downloaded here

The Annual Conference

The Awards are run in conjunction with Brownfield Briefing's annual "Contaminated Land and Remediation" conference on 16 and 17 September - more details are available here.

awards@brownfieldbriefing.com
http://www.brownfieldawards.com]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=24 Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:25:52 +0100 Tuesday 1st July 2008

The BLRS site visit will cover land reclamation and the greening of County Durham, the legacy of minewater and the progress and challenges in the treatment of minewater pollution in the UK. A great opportunity to not only learn best practice, but also see it with the afternoon site visits.

For more information see the programme here

Registration by the 27th June, and the form can be downloaded here. For more information or enquiries contact, events@blrs.org.
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=25 Sat, 17 May 2008 10:55:13 +0100 Regional Brownfield Land Working Group (of which the Society is a member), with funding from Advantage West Midlands. The centre is aimed at encouraging cross professional and cross sector dialogue. It will find common themes, interests and projects to share and learn from, with the over arching longer term goal of improving the supply of brownfield land into the development process. The centre has a web site and a bi monthly e-bulletin. The centre has been launched with a series of workshops/seminars looking at what drivers and pressures on brownfield reclamation and the public and private perspectives on these issues. These culminated in a joint regional conference with the Institution of Civil Engineers in Birmingham on the 13th May. At that event the Society's new Vice Chair David Morris, gave a presentation on the Society and its role in professional development for those involved in land reclamation.

RegenWM is the regeneration centre of excellence for the West Midlands. Visit the The CELR web site here.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=26 Fri, 16 May 2008 14:25:39 +0100
The charitable society is the leading UK voice on land remediation issues, advising and educating both the public and private sectors and it is at the forefront of brownfield reuse best practice and research.

In April the society formally merged with its sister organisation the National Land Regeneration Panel (NLRP), giving members an even stronger voice in the national brownfield land use debate.

Outgoing Chairman, Neil Humphries commented; "We are pleased to have attracted such a dedicated individual for this exciting period in the Society's history. The merger between the BLRS and the NLRP will form a major platform for our professional voice in land reclamation and regeneration in the UK and I look forward to seeing Euan succeed in this task."

David Morris, the Society's new Vice-Chair, added; "I am delighted that the NLRP has now finally completed its incorporation into the Society. I am also delighted that Euan Hall has agreed to become the chair of the new organisation. I look forward to working closely with Euan and the rest of the new Committee in taking forward the Society and develop its role as representing the wide range of professionals involved in land reclamation. There are many challenges ahead but I am confident that we have the people in place to meet those challenges and raise the profile of the Society."

Euan Hall responded; "I am thrilled to have been elected and look forward to building on Neil's great work during this period of change. The new organisation will be more responsive to member's needs, inspire debate at all levels and advise a plethora of audiences as the demand for brownfield reuse increases."

BLRS were a consultee on the Government's new National Brownfield Strategy and are expected to be a key advisor as the strategy becomes an action plan. This is an important issue for the merged society

]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=27 Thu, 15 May 2008 10:22:51 +0100
The East Midlands Merit Awards (EMMAs) award recognises and encourages excellence and imaginative concepts in Civil Engineering practice within the East Midlands. The Awards are given to projects that demonstrate results that make a difference to society and the environment.

Creswell Crags Road Removal was considered by the judges to be a well presented project that had effectively taken on board environmental issues for the public benefit. The Crags are a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The latest phase of work on this site has seen the removal of the old B6042 and its replacement by a carefully designed bridleway to give horse riders, cyclists and walkers access to the ancient site. Throughout the duration of work, public access was given to the caves.

Commenting on this year's Awards, Julian Jones, Chair of the ICE panel of Merit Award judges said:

"The judges felt that the Creswell Crags Road Removal scheme is an excellent example of a project team working together to minimise disruption for visitors to the site. This project demonstrated the varied skills of the civil engineer and showed that engineers can and do produce results that make a real difference to the environment we live in"

He continued:

"Judging the awards this year was particularly challenging due to the increasing number and standard of submissions. Since its inception, we have seen momentum building for the EMMAs which has meant that this year there were a record number of entries. Engineers can and do produce results that make a real difference to the environment we live in."

For further information about the ICE East Midlands Merit Awards including images, please contact Susannah Cherry on +44 (0)115 923 3807 or susannah.cherry@ice.org.uk.

Pictures of the project can be seen here

Editor's Notes:

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) is one of the pre-eminent engineering institutions in the world. Established as a learned society in 1818, it has 82,500 members and provides a voice for civil engineering, continuing professional development and promoting best practice throughout the industry.

ICE East Midlands consists of more than 3,700 civil engineers who live and work in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Rutland, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire. There are five local branches as well as professional interest networks including a Graduates & Students Section and East Midlands Geotechnical Group. www.ice-eastmidlands.org.uk


]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=28 Sat, 12 Apr 2008 16:50:14 +0100
Please follow the link to the full consultation details and the draft Code of Practice.

CL:AIRE are advising consultees to review the draft Code and accompanying flow diagrams (available on the link above) prior to then completing an online feedback survey which can be found here .

The BLRS will be co-ordinating a response , so that members can forward their reviews to info@blrs.org in the first instance, so that we can collate our members responses and prepare the response on behalf of the Society.


]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=29 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 10:11:54 +0100
The purpose of the Soil Strategy is to provide a framework for policy making and delivery with the aim of ensuring the sustainable management of England's soils.

The draft Strategy sets out the pressures on our soils and the priority work areas that we have identified on the basis of these pressures. It explains current policy measures to achieve sustainable soil management and then sets out in broad terms what it is that we hope to achieve and some initial steps we intend to undertake in the next few years.

The consultation invites your views on the draft Strategy and seeks to obtain any information and evidence you may have for the purpose of preparing an Impact Assessment on this proposal.

The consultation closes on 23 June 2008. Full details can be found at:
http://www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/soilstrategy/index.htm ]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=30 Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:55:02 +0100
Programme

Admission is by ticket only, available from Jenny Chambers, j.a.chambers@shef.ac.uk, and tickets are free

For those who dont know much about the GPRG, it is a leading research group based in the department of Civil and Structural Engineering at the University of Sheffield. The group is one of four that comprises the Environmental Engineering Science group.

The GPRG seeks to make a practical contribution to the protection and restoration of groundwater through international quality scientific research, supported by engineering applications and wide dissemination. The group is led by David Lerner, with support from Steven Banwart, Steve Thornton, Ryan Wilson and Maria Romero-Gonzalez, together with Visiting Professors Neil Thomson, Phil Morgan, Bob Harris and Roger Pickup.

The group has close collaborations with sister research groups in the Environmental Engineering Science group and in particular with the Catchment Science Centre (CSC) and the Cell Mineral Interface (CMI) group.

See the website for more information.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=31 Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:50:17 +0100
Published in March 2008, Managing Aggregates Sites for Invertebrates - a best practice guide, is the first dedicated guidance on how to manage aggregates sites for invertebrates.


This best practice guide is aimed at all stakeholders in the aggregates industry, including: minerals planners, restoration or estates managers from industry, ecological consultants, statutory bodies and non-governmental organisations.

For more information, to request a hard copy or to download an electronic copy of the guidance, see the project website . A leaflet is available here.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=32 Fri, 14 Mar 2008 10:32:32 +0000
Regeneration of the Irwell Valley and the East Lancashire Railway.

Wednesday 30th April, Bury.

As well as the AGM, two sessions will introduce the Irwell Valley regeneration, which has been creating a green artery from the centre of Manchester to the West Pennine Moors, and the regeneration of the East Lancashire Railway, the opening of which in 1991 and developments since have provided the East Lancashire Preservation Society with a number of environmental awards.

The afternoon will see a buffet lunch served aboard a train on the East Lancashire Light Railway, and a trip up the scenic Irwell Valley and the chance to see a number of regeneration projects including Burrs Country Park and other reclaimed sites.

More information is available in the Programme.

Please download and complete a registration form to register for the event:
Registration Form
Registration Form ]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=33 Fri, 22 Feb 2008 09:39:27 +0000 Event Date: March 10 2008 to March 11 2008
Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

Recent changes in best practice guidance and standards have led to increasing awareness of the need to understand more about soil as an important resource that is integral to a sustainable environment. The role of soil within our developed landscape is diverse from supporting the green infrastructure where we live, work and play to sustaining biodiversity, from impacting on surface drainage and erosion to providing a valuable carbon store.

From supporting the gardens and parks in which we spend our leisure time to sustaining biodiversity, providing surface drainage, erosion control and a valuable carbon store, soil has a huge impact on the environment in which we live.

In March 2008, Envirolink Northwest, together with sponsors WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and the IPSS (Institute of Professional Soil Scientists), is holding 'Soils in the Developed Landscape', at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.

Soils in the Developed Landscape aims to provide an overview of recent changes in standards and best practice guidance. This event offers a wide range of professionals, including landscape architects, landscape contractors, compost and soil suppliers, soil scientists, the recycling and waste sector, environmental managers, local authorities, ecologists, house builders and those involved in regeneration, the opportunity to understand how to make the most of the soil resource.

More info:
Day 1 programme
Day 2 programme
Event Details

or see the Envirolink Northwest website.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=34 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:59:47 +0000 Ecology of Industrial Pollution: Remediation, Restoration and Preservation
Austin Court, Birmingham, UK, 7-8 April 2008

Industrial processes have been shaping the landscape for many thousands of years and have had far reaching consequences for the ecology of all environmental media. Recent developments in legislation have put ecology at the centre of environmental protection (e.g. The European Union Water Framework Directive) however, this has raised several important questions: How do we monitor and assess ecological status of environments? What constitutes 'good ecological status'? Does industrial pollution always result in lower biodiversity? How can we use ecology in remediation technologies?

The School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences is joining with the British Ecological Society to stage a two-day conference that will address these questions. We will bring together researchers, environmental agencies, advisers, policy developers and consultants in order to provide a forum for developing an integrated approach to management of industrially polluted areas.

The symposium will be held at Austin Court, 80 Cambridge Street, Birmingham, N1 2NP. For travel details and more information about this venue, please use this link.

Sessions will include monitoring and assessment, ecological impacts, restoration of ecology, ecology and remediation, biodiversity and legal issues.

Oral presentations will be by invitation only, but we will be seeking poster presentations. The deadline for submission of poster abstracts is 28 February 2008. There will be a dedicated poster session on each day and authors will be expected to be in attendance for their session.

Programme is available here.
List of speakers is available here.

For more information, including booking and poster submission, see the BES website by clicking HERE.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=35 Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:39:23 +0000
The Conference - 34 industry leaders lend their expertise, share their knowledge and offer lively debate to the proceedings. Delegates can attend on 1 or both days, but is limited to the first 200 pre-registered delegates per day.

The Exhibition - with up to 2,000 delegates and limited to just 50 exhibiting organisations including Councils, Urban Regeneration & Development Companies, City Regeneration Investment Agencies, Architects / Urban Design Companies, Local Corporate Companies, Government Agencies and Community Programmes.

Liverpool City Regeneration Tour - followed by drinks reception / networking meeting on the first evening.

The Conference will look back on 30 years of urban regeneration policy and implementation, highlighting the key successes made in Northern Towns and Cities, in areas such as city centre redevelopment and the development of the tourist industry, whilst at the same time, examining the challenges that now face Northern Town and Cities, particularly in terms of economic development and local neighbourhood renewal. Delegates to the Conference will be able to hear the views of key speakers in the field of urban regeneration and planning, and also network with key people involved with the regeneration of our Northern Towns and Cities.

Delegates will also be able to network with up to 50 exhibiting organisations involved within urban regeneration, which itself forms a major part of the 2 day event.

As the 2008 Conference is being held in Liverpool, delegates will also be able to witness what is going on in the European Capital of Culture and see the exciting regeneration developments taking place in Liverpool City Centre and surrounding areas, on the Official Conference Guided Tour on the first evening, prior to returning for a drinks reception.

The programme can be seen here.
The list of speakers can be seen here.

For more information see the website: http://www.nurec2008.com]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=36 Sat, 12 Jan 2008 14:30:59 +0000
The Guide to Good Practice for the Treatment of Disused Lead Mine Shafts was put together by the county council, working in partnership with English Heritage, Natural England, the Peak District National Park Authority and other organisations.

Lead has been mined in Derbyshire and the Peak District since Roman times and was at its greatest in the 17th and 18th centuries when the area played a key role in making Britain the largest producer of lead.Most of these old mines have not been worked for at least 100 years and it is thought there are more than 50,000 abandoned mine shafts across the county.

Many features of lead mine workings are now protected as Scheduled Monuments for their archaeological interest or as sites of special scientific interest.
And now that the public has increased access rights to the open countryside and registered common land where many of these mineshafts are likely to be found, a new guide has been put together to replace the existing code of practice.

It is the first report of its kind in the country to provide practical advice for landowners, engineers and conservationists on how to recognise issues including health and safety, archaeology, ecology and cultural heritage.

The guidelines are available as a hard copy from Derbyshire County Council:
Tel: 08 456 058 058
Email: contact.centre@derbyshire.gov.uk
or as PDF here

Taken from DCC press release 28/11/07]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=37 Thu, 03 Jan 2008 17:14:08 +0000
There are a number of organisational arrangements we need to complete and to manage this we will be holding joint Committee meetings and will early in the New Year tell you more about how we will be restructuring ourselves and what we are proposing to do and offering our joint membership, and how we will be taking the joint membership forward. We are proposing to make an early announcement in March with a fuller launch later in 2008.


Neil Humphries
Chair
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=38 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 10:10:42 +0000
The Landscape and Regeneration team at WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) are currently working with a diverse range of organisations, providing financial support for projects which explore the benefits of Quality BSI PAS100 compost. These include compost use in: rootzones, landscape mulches and top-dressings, in-situ soil manufacture and establishing biomass crops on former landfill. The team are now building on this experience to develop a wider research, demonstration and training programme to explore the benefits of Quality BSI PAS100 compost. This new programme may run throughout the UK from Spring 2008 to Spring 2011, and we would value your input in its development.

Some ideas have been suggested and we are sure there are more. We would welcome your ideas for developing a market for quality compost within the many landscape and regeneration sub-sectors. Projects at all scales -- from general landscaping to large regeneration sites -- might be equally eligible. The current ideas include:
Soil manufacture, both on and off site, re-using or recycling resources where possible;
Use of compost to establish biofuel crops on previously developed land;
Use of compost within Sustainable Urban Drainage schemes;
Use of compost within highway maintenance schemes;
Use of compost for slope stabilisation.
Ideas for the use of green composts as well as composts and anaerobic digestion outputs derived (in part) from source-segregated food wastes would all be welcome.

To enable us to better gauge the level of interest and the potential impact of WRAP support in these areas, we would like to invite your Expressions of Interest. Please provide as much information as possible on the short form which is available on our website (here) before 21st December 2007. If you would like to discuss any aspect of this invitation, please do not hesitate to contact Paul Mathers (Programme Manager: Landscape and Regeneration) at: 01295 817899 / paul.mathers@wrap.org.uk
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=39 Mon, 03 Dec 2007 09:56:50 +0000
The mission is aimed at UK companies, and there is part funding available (depending on the size of the company). The difference between the seminar mission and a trade mission is that UK companies will get the opportunity to present for 20mins to an audience in market of between 40-100 key contacts where they are asked to represent the UK's technological and consultancy capabilities first, and then within that what solutions their companies provide.

We are working with the FCO in organising this event to support UK companies in gaining access to new markets in high growth areas with a view to increasing their export potential. Are you part of such a company? Or are you aware of any companies who fit these criteria?

Are you interested in this opportunity?

We look to take between 5-8 companies. Please see the mission flyer for more detailed information on EISU and the mission itself.

Contact: mirelle.ball@pera.com
EISU
PERA

EISU seminar missions are managed by Pera on behalf of UK Trade & Investment
EISU is part of UK Trade & Investment - the Government organisation that supports companies in the UK doing business internationally and overseas enterprises seeking to set up or expand in the UK.]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=40 Wed, 24 Oct 2007 17:14:23 +0100
To ensure the strategy address the skills issues being encountered by the industry, I have attached to this email the Scoping Study Consultation which allows interested practitioners and organisations to comment on and direct the scope of the Brownfield Skills Strategy. This document offers an opportunity to:
Comment on the definition of brownfield skills;

Comment on the suggested approach to developing a Brownfield Skills Strategy

Provide relevant information; and

Suggest mechanisms to address the skills gap.
Please circulate this document to the groups you represent. This document will be available for download from both the English Partnerships and Academy for Sustainable Communities websites by midday Thursday 10 October. There are consultation questions in Annex 2 to help guide responses.

The closing date for responses is Friday 23 November 2007.

Download the document here

For more information visit:
Academy for Sustainable Communities
English Partnerships
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=41 Mon, 15 Oct 2007 16:18:41 +0100
"New opportunities to apply our Scinece"
Conference, June 14-19, 2008 Richmond, Virginia, USA.

Richmond, Virginia, home of the USA's first commercial coal mine, will host the 25th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Mining and Reclamation in mid-June of 2008. In addition to ASMR's historical concentration on coal and metal mining applications, this meeting's program and field trips will focus on remediation of other disturbances such as exposure of acid-sulfate materials, mineral sands mining, dredge spoil placement, and wetland impact mitigation. We hope that the timing and location of this meeting will allow meeting attendees and their families to enjoy the wealth of great attractions in and around Richmond!

More information available at the conference website, here.
]]> http://www.blrs.org/news.php?offset=42 Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:01:54 +0000
The seminar will focus on how UK companies can help solve problems in the environmental sector relating to issues such as solid waste management, contaminated land remediation, air pollution control, water waste treatment and water reuse.

At the end of the event, delegates will have the opportunity to network over lunch and participate in one-to-one meetings with the speakers.

Speakers will include procurement experts from UNIDO, the World Bank and the European Commission, plus senior UK Trade & Investment trade advisers from the British Embassies in Washington DC and Vienna and the UK permanent representative office in Brussels.

Claire Gamage, project manager of the Aid Funded Business Service, said: "Multilateral donors spent approximately US$60 billion per year purchasing equipment and services - this is a huge potential source of business for UK companies.

"This is a huge market and we are urging West Midlands companies to make sure that they don't miss out on their share.
"It is extremely rare to get such high level contacts in the same room at the same event and this seminar will provide an excellent opportunity for firms looking to bid for work through the multilateral aid agencies, or for companies that already supply the agencies and would like to learn more about future developments."

For further information, or to book your place, contact Claire Gamage on Tel 0845 603 0084 or email c.gamage@birminghamchamber.org.uk

NOTES

1. UK Trade & Investment is the government organisation that provides integrated support services for UK companies engaged in overseas trade and foreign enterprises seeking to locate in the UK. It brings together the work of teams in British embassies and FCO posts overseas and government departments across Whitehall. In England, international trade support is coordinated by nine International Trade Directors working in partnership with each Regional Development Agency. UK Trade & Investment services are delivered locally through a network of International Trade Teams. The devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own arrangements for local delivery of services. For more information visit the website http://www.uktradeinvest.gov.uk ]]>