Land Restoration / Llandarcy, Wales

Llandarcy refinery in Wales, UK is a 400-hectare site that closed in 1998 after 75 years operation. The refinery played a significant role in the development of the petro-chemical industry as the UK's first crude oil refinery. A major employer in South West Wales – at its peak employing over 2600 workers – it played a key role in the development of the local economy.

Llandarcy is also adjacent to several environmentally sensitive areas, such as Crymlyn Bog, a RAMSAR site and Crymlyn Burrows a SSSI (designated Site of Special Scientific Interest). Close to the former refinery there is also Llandarcy Village, the original Garden Village developed by the D'arcy Family in the 1920's for employees.

An alliance formed by the local authority, the Welsh Development Agency, The Prince's Foundation and BP has drawn up plans for an urban village to be built on the site. The development will include houses, offices, shops, training and leisure facilities – all within easy walking distance. In a parallel effort, the UK Environment Agency plans to build its South Wales regional headquarters at Llandarcy, hoping to open the new building in April 2003. The whole scheme is currently awaiting planning permission.

As part of the development, there have been several initiatives to replace many of the refinery's lost jobs, creating conditions for new employment opportunities. Businesses have already been created on the former Llandarcy refinery site and nearly 1,000 jobs have been created. Over the next 25 years it is planned that the two-square-mile refinery site will develop into a sustainable community, providing at least 2,500 homes and creating an expected 3,200 jobs in total.

BP’s restoration of the former refinery site involves the removal of hydrocarbon wastes from large areas. The former waste tip also needs to be isolated and the liquid run-off from it managed using techniques that include reed beds. Biological degradation of waste will be used on much of the site.