Highly Commended 2011

HAFOD COPPERWORKS, SWANSEA

Hafod Copperworks aims to revive and regenerate a declining area of Swansea, through better integration with the natural environment. Since the industrial decline of the area, the site remains polluted and damaged.

However as numerous schemes gather pace to regenerate the nearby city of Swansea to address socioeconomic problems, there is a real risk that the biodiversity inherent in this site will be lost. At the same time, improvement is needed for the significant natural habitats located within the area. Currently there is a strong range of biodiversity, but also a conducive climate that could be better utilised.

Judges’ Comments: 

A comprehensive masterplan designed to revive a contaminated post-industrial district associated with a former copper works with an emphasis on regeneration and connection with nature. The submission included a thorough analysis with impressive proposals for green infrastructure and green housing. This planning project goes beyond the scale envisaged by the judges, however it was commended for the ambitious way that it tackled complex greening issues throughout a district.