East Pit site to go in 2018 (From South Wales Guardian)

East Pit site to go in 2018

9:20am Saturday 30th June 2012 in News

CELTIC Energy has vowed to leave ‘a lasting legacy’ at East Pit in Tairgwaith, after confirming the site will close in 2018 with the loss of 250 jobs.

The company is working with renewal experts Oak Regeneration to “sustain economic activity” as part of its site restoration scheme and has launched “a major community consultation programme”

to discuss the future.

Celtic Energy’s Rob Thompson said Oak Regeneration had “a wealth of experience in putting complex regeneration projects together”.

“We feel we can combine our skills to create a lasting legacy project at East Pit,” he said.

Alan Whiteley, of Oak Regeneration, said community participation was essential.

“We now know that coal recovery will be completed at East Pit by 2018 and want to plan ahead for a restoration programme that puts something back into the community,”

he said.

“We have a range of projects in mind that could be part of a radical newregeneration plan for the valley, but we want the community to help us shape these and contribute ideas on how to put the project together.”

The firm’s proposals include schemes centred on rural enterprise, renewable energy, tourism and leisure.

“With the community’s support we can create an exciting restoration programme with a genuine legacy, providing new employment opportunities to secure a vibrant future for this community,”

said Mr Whiteley.

“We have the opportunity to do something special at this site.”

Celtic Energy described the project as the first of its kind in Wales, utilising the final stages of the working mine “to create a dynamic newlandscape environment”

which sets “a new standard for the industry”.

The firm also confirmed the closure would mean the loss of 125 on-site jobs and a further 125 positions in supporting trades and businesses.

For more information on the project, visit oakregenerationgroup.

com.