Committees

The environmental and economic legacy of Wales' industrial past

Inquiry

Wales has a proud industrial heritage based on activities such as coal mining, slate quarrying, copper smelting, steelmaking and manufacturing among others.

Today, most of the heavy industries that powered the Welsh economy during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have gone. This inquiry will examine their environmental legacy, the economic impact of their decline, and what it means for Wales as it transitions to the green and digital economies.

Read the call for evidence to find out more about the inquiry.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was 11:59pm on 2 February 2025.

Upcoming events

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No upcoming events scheduled

Past events

Wednesday 10 December 2025
9:45am Private
10:15am Public
Oral evidence session 10 December 2025
Promoting Wales for inward investment; The environmental and economic legacy of Wales' industrial past - Oral evidence
10:15am
  • Rebecca Evans MS (Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning at Welsh Government)
  • Liz Lalley (Director - Economic Policy and Strategy at Welsh Government)
  • Andrew Gwatkin (Director - International Relations and Trade at Welsh Government)
10:15am
  • Oral evidence
Room 16, Palace of Westminster
Wednesday 22 October 2025
2:00pm Private
2:30pm Public
The environmental and economic legacy of Wales' industrial past - Oral evidence 22 October 2025
2:30pm
  • Michelle Rowson-Woods (Head of Operations - Wales at Coalfields Regeneration Trust)
  • Meirion Thomas (Director at Industrial Communities Alliance Wales)
The Macmillan Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 11 June 2025
9:30am Private
10:00am Public
The environmental and economic legacy of Wales' industrial past - Oral evidence 11 June 2025
10:00am
  • Rachael Davies (Contaminated Land Officer at Flintshire County Council)
  • Jacqueline Mynott (Head of Infrastructure Asset Management at Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council)
  • Mark S. Williams (Executive Director - Corporate and Regeneration at Caerphilly County Borough Council)
  • Robert Hartshorn (Director of Environment and Regulatory Services at Caerphilly County Borough Council)
  • Nicola Pearce (Director Environment and Regeneration at Neath Port Talbot Council)
The Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Wednesday 2 April 2025
2:30pm Public
The environmental and economic legacy of Wales' industrial past - Oral evidence 2 April 2025
2:30pm
  • Haf Elgar (Director at Friends of the Earth Cymru)
  • Ms Kirsty Luff (Communications Officer at Friends of the Earth Cymru)
  • Daniel Therkelsen (Campaign Manager at Coal Action Network)
  • Mr Anthony Collins (Policy Campaigner at Coal Action Network)
  • Carl Banton (Operations Director at Mining Remediation Authority)
  • Nick Cox (Head of Programme Delivery - Metal Mines at Mining Remediation Authority)
  • Mary Lewis (Head of Natural Resource Management & Policy at Natural Resources Wales)
  • Nadia De Longhi (Head of Regulation & Permitting at Natural Resources Wales)
3:15pm
  • Carl Banton (Operations Director at Mining Remediation Authority)
  • Nadia De Longhi (Head of Regulation & Permitting at Natural Resources Wales)
  • Mary Lewis (Head of Natural Resources Management & Policy at Natural Resources Wales)
  • Nick Cox (Head of Programme Delivery - Metal Mines at Mining Remediation Authority)
Room 16, Palace of Westminster

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