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The Maze/Long Kesh Regeneration Site, which has, in the past,
housed the Maze Prison, an army base and a World War II US
Airforce base, is one step nearer to being cleaned up, according
to consultants WYG.
A multi-disciplinary team of specialist consultants from
WYG
have been working on the site near Lisburn, Co. Antrim since
2005 and have played a key role in devising a strategy for
the regeneration of the site. The site is of regional strategic
importance and the Office of the First Minister and Deputy
First Minister (OFMDFM) has placed sustainability as a key
objective of the project.
The proposed remediation works include in situ and
ex situ treatment of hydrocarbon impacts in soil and groundwater
and addressing risks from asbestos impacts. A tender process
is currently underway to procure a contractor to undertake
the work, in partnership with WYG, which has a planned start
date of December 2009. Works were completed at the site last
year to remove lead-shot from the former shooting ranges on
the site.
Michael Boyd, Director, WYG Ireland, said - “We have worked
with our client to establish a remediation strategy that allows
flexibility of land use in the subsequent development of a
masterplan for the site. We have done this without entailing
excessive remediation costs and fulfilling the sustainability
objectives of the project, thus maximising future opportunities.
This project is evidence that, by harnessing our creative
and insightful consultants expertise, we’re consistently delivering
value for clients.”
The consultants have worked closely with OFMDFM carrying
out extensive ground investigation works, groundwater monitoring
and detailed quantitative risk assessments - the outputs of
which have informed the remediation strategy.
Boyd added - “Regeneration work of this type is really important
in Northern Ireland. It’s essential that we develop brownfield
sites like Maze/Long Kesh in a sustainable manner, so that
we make best use of previously developed land, whilst also
providing an area that people can appreciate, use and enjoy
for years to come.”
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