Entries into the fifth annual BB Remediation Innovation Awards exceeded expectations.
The award winners were announced in a lively ceremony following a drinks reception and celebratory dinner in the five star Grange City Hotel in Tower Hill, London.
Host for the evening was Naomi Cleaver, a Channel 4 television presenter and designer best known for her work on Grand Designs Trade Secrets.
She brought glamour and humour to the event, entertaining guests during dinner by holding an impromptu competition to rename the awards. Her suggestion, The Brownies, got a few votes, but it was the TIARA (Treat It And Run Away) awards that won the crowd's hearts. It remains to be seen whether this ‘new name' will stick.
Special guest for the evening, DEFRA minister Huw Irranca-Davies, took the opportunity to praise the brownfield industry, saying its work "has reduced the pressure to build on greenfield land and has helped to regenerate blighted communities."
He also announced the release of DEFRA's Soil Strategy for England, which was published just days later, stating that it would aim to clear up issues that had "dogged the industry for many years".
Despite a difficult year for the remediation industry, the number of entries exceeded expectations and the judges were extremely pleased with the quality of entries received.
They made special commendations to entrants of the new Young Brownfield Professional category in particular. This category was extremely popular, highlighting the pool of skilled talent that will lead the industry in the future.
The large turnout and innovative projects described in the next few pages show the industry is not only continuing as usual but is thriving. This gives hope for an upturn in fortunes and a successful event next year.
The winners
Please click on the winners' name(s) to read about the winning project in full.
Best use of a single treatment technique
Entec UK & Vertase FLI - Enhanced In-situ Anaerobic Biotreatment
Best use of a combination of techniques
QDS Environmental Ltd & ERM - Remediation of a former dye manufacturing facility
Best conceptual design
Campbell Reith Hill LLP - Remediation of the former shipyard in Southampton for SEEDA
Most innovative remediation method
Ecologia Environmental Solutions - In-Situ radio frequency heating at a former petrol station
Best project closure/verification project
Buro Happold - Coopers Walk Remediation
Most sustainable remediation project
Atkins, National Grid and Bilfinger Berger - Ex-Situ Thermally Enhanced tar recovery project
Best communications/stakeholder engagement
City of Bradford MDC - Manywells Landfill Remediation Project
Best recovery of land for heritage/community use
No winner
Young Brownfield Professional (New to 2009)
The judges
All entries were assessed by an independent panel of judges, chaired by Mike Summersgill of RSK ENSR and the CL:AIRE Technology and Research Group.
Clive Boyle, Independent Consultant and EIC Commission Contaminated Land Working Group
Dr John Campbell, formerly Rio Tinto (retired) and CL:AIRE Technology and Research Group
Phil Crowcroft, ERM and Chair of SiLC
Prof Stephan Jefferis, Environmental Geotechnics Ltd and University of Surrey
Jonathan Atkinson, Environment Agency
Duncan Sanders, partner, Davis Langdon and regional director (SE), Land Quality Group
Joanne Kwan, project manager, CIRIA
The awards
For full details of the winning entries and runners up, go to www.brownfieldawards.com
Entries for 2010 will be called for in spring/ summer 2010, with the ceremony to be held in September. Book your table or sponsorship package now by calling Cheryl Henry on +44 (0)208 969 1008 or email cherylhenry@newzeye.com.
