Key Facts:

Project summary: The Severn Project CIC is a social integration project set up in 2010 to provide services to socially excluded individuals through the initiation of ethical businesses providing education, training and employment. Location: Enterprise Zone, Diesel Depot, Bristol Programme: Growing - On this site between 200 and 400 kgs of organic, mineral rich speciality salad per week is grown giving the Severn Project a weekly income of between £1,500 and £3,000. Initiator: Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Project Duration: 2 years (Opened Sept 2012) Lead in Time: 6 weeks Site Area: 3 acres Client Team: Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Bristol City Council Project Team: The Severn Project CIC Funding Sources: HCA Funding Type: Grant Project Costs (Build): Labour (inc. volunteers) £17,000,

• Construction Materials: £35,000

Project Costs (Operation): Staffing: £52,000 per annum Profitability/Loss: Unknown Permissions / Permits: Local Development Order Local Links: N/A Publicity/advertising: Facebook and Twitter

Project Evaluation:

Site Details & Ownership: The site is on the former Bath Road diesel depot next to Bristol Temple Meads Station. Formally owned by the RDA it is now under the control of HCA. The site is valued at approximately £100 million and has been ear-marked for an arena for several years. The site was contaminated by previous uses including a silver mine, gas storage depot and diesel depot. The local authority spent £36 million decontaminating the site. Risk assessments suggest that the ground is still contaminated to a large degree. Project Reach / Visitors / Target Audience: N/A Problems Encountered / Overcome: The stream for grant funding was a challenge and was ultimately channelled through the Safer Bristol Partnership from whom a contract was won to provide social re-integration for those suffering from the effects of substance misuse. Contaminated soil was an issue that was overcome by providing non permeable membrane below 100mm gravel (for drainage), then terram (geotextile membrane) and then 400mm imported soil. Access is a problem but has been overcome by emailing all visitors to explain about the dangers relating to the access and suggesting solutions i.e. don’t turn across the traffic etc. Feedback from users / staff: Delivery is easier, central location helps with delivering to other sites What next? Consolidate, social franchising, fundraising, adult apprenticeship programmes Complementary Programmes: N/A Project Website / Further Info: www.thesevernproject.org