With the backing of the Government in place, work can now get under way with our public and private sector partners and the local community on developing the details of the visionary scheme that will see the transformation of six former industrial sites in the Mid Cornwall clay area.
Work to deliver an Eco Town for Mid Cornwall will start with a detailed study of the Government’s decision, with Imerys working with its partners to establish the best way of bringing forward detailed proposals on the plans, phasing and funding of the scheme.
Imerys is committed to continuing, with its partners, detailed and meaningful engagement with the local community through all future stages of the Clay Country Eco-town project and any proposals for its implementation will be subject to full consultation as part of the planning process.
Commenting on the announcement Imerys’ Chief Executive Officer Gérard Buffière said: “When we launched our Clay Country Vision in April 2008 I quoted the phrase “Transform to Perform”, which we use within Imerys to direct all our activities. Achieving Eco-town status is a major step forward in our vision to transform our surplus sites into assets that can deliver new life into the Mid Cornwall clay area.”
The Eden Project has worked with Imerys to prepare the Clay Country Eco-town proposals. Welcoming today’s announcement, Tim Smit, Chief Executive of the Eden Project, said: "The Eden Project has been involved from the beginning in the hope that this opportunity might arise and would like to pay tribute to all the partners who have worked together seamlessly. The real test is whether we can turn aspirations into a legacy for the people of the Clay Country and Cornwall. Cornwall was in at the start of the industrial revolution. Wouldn't it be great if we could be at the start of the post-industrial revolution and show what Cornwall is made of."
Ashley Shopland Imerys’ UK Kaolin Operations Director said: “Today’s announcement is welcome news for the clay country and signals the start of an exciting process which will bring significant economic, social and environmental benefits.”
“The Government’s decision is an important first step but in many ways the real work starts now, with our public and private sector partners and the wider community, to agree the detail of the proposals and how best to bring them forward.”
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