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Imerys gains Government green light for Clay Country Eco-town
project
16 July 2009
Imerys Minerals is delighted that the Department of Communities
and Local Government (DCLG) has today announced that the project,
initiated by the company, with the support of local and regional
authorities and the Eden Project, to regenerate the Mid Cornwall
clay area has been awarded Eco-town status.
With the backing of the Government in place, work can now get
under way with our public and private sector partners and the local
community on developing the details of the visionary scheme that
will see the transformation of six former industrial sites in the
Mid Cornwall clay area.
Work to deliver an Eco Town for Mid Cornwall will start with a
detailed study of the Government's decision, with Imerys working
with its partners to establish the best way of bringing forward
detailed proposals on the plans, phasing and funding of the
scheme.
Imerys is committed to continuing, with its partners, detailed
and meaningful engagement with the local community through all
future stages of the Clay Country Eco-town project and any
proposals for its implementation will be subject to full
consultation as part of the planning process.
Commenting on the announcement Imerys' Chief Executive Officer
Gérard Buffière said: "When we launched our Clay Country Vision in
April 2008 I quoted the phrase "Transform to Perform", which we use
within Imerys to direct all our activities. Achieving Eco-town
status is a major step forward in our vision to transform our
surplus sites into assets that can deliver new life into the Mid
Cornwall clay area."
The Eden Project has worked with Imerys to prepare the Clay
Country Eco-town proposals. Welcoming today's announcement, Tim
Smit, Chief Executive of the Eden Project, said: "The Eden Project
has been involved from the beginning in the hope that this
opportunity might arise and would like to pay tribute to all the
partners who have worked together seamlessly. The real test is
whether we can turn aspirations into a legacy for the people of the
Clay Country and Cornwall. Cornwall was in at the start of the
industrial revolution. Wouldn't it be great if we could be at the
start of the post-industrial revolution and show what Cornwall is
made of."
Ashley Shopland Imerys' UK Kaolin Operations Director said:
"Today's announcement is welcome news for the clay country and
signals the start of an exciting process which will bring
significant economic, social and environmental benefits."
"The Government's decision is an important first step but in
many ways the real work starts now, with our public and private
sector partners and the wider community, to agree the detail of the
proposals and how best to bring them forward."
Ends
16th July 2009
Quotes from partners
The South West RDA
The South West RDA (Regional Development Agency) has been
working with Imerys, the County Council and other partners in
Cornwall to help draw up the eco-town proposals as part of its role
to lead the development of a low carbon economy in the South
West.
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly area director Theo Leijser said:
"Today's announcement is a tremendous boost for Cornwall and paves
the way for the creation of an exemplar sustainable community on
redundant industrial land in the heart of the county. This is a
priority area for investment by the South West RDA and the European
Convergence Programme and our role will focus on the creation of
high value sustainable jobs that boost the local economy. Eco-town
status is another example of the South West leading the transition
to a low carbon economy and comes just 24 hours after our
designation as the UK's first low carbon economic area."
Cornwall Council
Up until now Cornwall's Council's role in the project has been
to advise Imerys on issues of affordable housing need,
infrastructure requirements and opportunities to secure additional
public funding. The Council has also employed consultants to carry
out additional and independent public engagement and
consultation.
As a result it has been working closely with Imerys on the
development of their Eco-town proposal, with particular emphasis on
the challenging issue of a sustainable transport strategy. The
Council has also been involved in a project, led by the South West
RDA, to develop the legal arrangements for joint working between
the Council and Imerys that will safeguard the public investment
and ensure the project is delivered with the necessary community
benefits and infrastructure. This has involved the creation of a
Strategic Partnership Board which the Council will be part of.
Following today's decision to grant national policy status for
the Eco-town proposal, the Council will be a strategic partner in
the project.
Graeme Hicks, Cabinet Member for Transport and Planning, said:
"Putting Imery's proposal into National Policy shows the
Government's confidence that Cornwall can deliver on the important
agendas of housing, jobs and climate change. This is a fantastic
opportunity to deliver much-needed housing and jobs in an
environmentally friendly way.
"This pioneering project will be at the heart of the
regeneration strategy for the China Clay area and will provide
about 5,000 jobs and 5,500 homes. Cornwall Council, previously
acting as Restormel Borough Council and Cornwall County Council,
has put in a great deal of work with all of the organisations
involved to come up with a proposal that will be of huge benefit to
residents. There will now be more and extensive local public
consultation and a lot of work to be done on all of the details
before any planning applications can be made. Our immediate
emphasis will now be on community engagement and ensuring the
planning process gives the proposals full and proper scrutiny. We
will also be working hard to ensure that ongoing development of the
Eco-town proposal compliments and adds value to the Convergence
Programme investment in the area."
The Eden Project
For the past 12 months the Eden Project has been working in
partnership with Imerys Minerals Ltd to jointly prepare the Clay
Country Eco-town submission to the Department of Communities and
Local Government. The proposed development is taking place on our
doorstep and many of our own team will be affected by this
ambitious project. We want to help create a community for the
future, one which provides affordable homes, new schools and places
of work. We are giving the plan our full backing to help Imerys
deliver the best result for the people of Mid Cornwall. Eden is
proud to be a partner because the chance to shape our future is a
rare privilege and we hope all of us who live here will see it for
what it is - a chance to make a positive difference.
Tim Smit, Chief Executive of the Eden Project, said: "The
opportunity to reshape our future is a massive privilege and part
of the excitement in it is to explore whether the new spirit, which
must take account of the tremendous challenges that the next 30
years will throw at us, can forge an alliance beyond party politics
and narrow sectoral interests and deliver a partnership that is
truly representing a vision shared by all.
"The Eden Project has been involved from the beginning in the
hope that this opportunity might arise and would like to pay
tribute to all the partners who have worked together seamlessly.
The real test is whether we can turn aspirations into a legacy for
the people of the Clay Country and Cornwall. Cornwall was in at the
start of the industrial revolution. Wouldn't it be great if we
could be at the start of the post-industrial revolution and show
what Cornwall is made of."
Contact Details
Name: John Casey
Tel: 01208 77900
Email: john.casey@dca-pr.co.uk