Restoration award win for Regency work

THE National Botanic Garden of Wales’s Regency Restoration project is this year’s Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) People’s Choice.

The ICE People’s Choice Award recognises civil engineering projects across the globe that have made a positive impact on their local communities.

The National Botanic Garden of Wales Regency Restoration project, which took five years to complete at a cost of more than £7 million, is the largest of its kind undertaken in Wales and included two new lakes, bridges, dams, cascades, a waterfall and an extensive network of paths, all set in 300 acres of wooded parkland.

Ed Mccann, 157th ICE president, said: “This is a great achievement for all involved at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. It is a wonderful example of sensitive and intelligent design. The project shows respect for the environment and the interests of the local community and both creates and restores spaces that enable and support human and ecological wellbeing.”

Director of the National Botanic Garden of Wales, Huw Francis, said: “We are extremely honoured that the Regency Restoration project won the ICE People’s Choice Award. It recognises the culmination of hard endeavour and highlights the fact that active lifestyles are becoming more popular within local communities.

“Providing green, well-designed places such as our garden are vital for people’s well-being and good mental health.”

The project team behind the winning project included the principal contractor, WM Longreach, key design and project management from Mann Williams, Nicholas Pearson Partnership LLP, Caroe and Partners Architects, and HR Wallingford, reservoir engineer.