Posted on: Thursday 25 July 2024
Councillors have approved amended plans to improve safety and reduce the risk of flooding at the site of a former ironworks.
The revised plans still include a new overground watercourse, pond, and walkway at the site of The British, Talywain, in an area known as "the black patch".
A second, larger pool was removed after investigatory work concluded it would be too costly to complete and was not essential to the overall scheme. An estimated 13 mine shafts and adits will be made safe as part of the work.
The report also highlighted that geo-technical investigations and inflation had increased the cost of completing the project by £1.25m.
Speaking at Tuesday's council meeting, Cllr Joanne Gauden, Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration, said: "We knew when we bought the site in 2016 that it needed significant investment and would take a while given it is an old abandoned industrial site with many known and unknown risks.
"We can't forget The British is a prized green asset for the borough and it's got to much potential for health and well-being opportunities, green energy opportunities and employment opportunities.
"The report outlines that if we don't do anything now the site will stay as it is with all the hazards and the flood risk."
Councillors voted in favour of the amended plans and additional funding. Planning permission will now be sought, with work due to start early next year if planning permission is approved.
Take a look at the plans on Get Involved Torfaen
Councillors also approved a second report recommending the council enter into a Development Agreement with a socially focused company to explore the possible development of energy infrastructure and commercial land uses on the British.
Officers will now develop a legally-binding Development Agreement with Idris, which will form the basis of how the council and Idris will work together should the feasibility study prove there is the potential for an ambitious green energy generation project.
The study would include an assessment of different green energy sources on the site, including wind, solar and hydro, and employment opportunities, as well as the other ambitions set out in the British Masterplan, which was agreed in 2018.
According to the report, Idris would be liable for any financial costs associated with the feasibility study.
You can read both reports on the Torfaen Council website