Country: United Kingdom
Key Area: Water
Services: Environmental & Social Impact Assessment,Environmental Planning

Opus is undertaking major work at The Celtic Manor Resort, in South Wales which will host the Ryder Cup in 2010.

The longstanding work at Celtic Manor saw Opus UK Operations Director, Alun Parfitt undertake the civil works associated with design for the Wentwood Hills course.  Because of its large changes in grade, and consequent spectator bottlenecks, the Wentwood Hills course was deemed unsuitable for the unique demands of The Ryder Cup so it was agreed that a new course would be purpose-built. From its inception, Opus was involved with the development of the concept for the Ryder Cup course which was to run along the Usk Valley.

A number of challenges faced the design team during the planning stage, as half of the proposed course is situated within the flood plain. The river corridor is protected environmentally as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Special Area for Conservation (SAC).  The protection relates to a number of fish species that migrate up the river and otters that inhabit the banks.
 
Detailed mathematical flood modelling was undertaken of the river which has the second highest tidal range in the world. This was necessary to demonstrate that the removal of flood cells to permit construction of the course would not have a negative impact on the flood protection regime within the lower Usk Estuary. A detailed environmental impact assessment, including associated engineering advice, was carried out to support the planning application.

On-course drainage was a significant aspect of the design. The previous course built at Celtic Manor was heavily reliant upon an imported water source for irrigation, which created a high financial burden.  Addressing this, a system of drainage was designed to collect surface water and irrigation runoff to be impounded in lakes, only discharging surplus flows to the River Usk estuary.  This was then the primary source of irrigation water.  Designed in this way, the lakes become richer in wildlife and are considered to be a positive contribution in terms of habitat creation.