In 2009, Resources for Change helped the Environment Agency to resolve conflict over a landfill site near Wrexham in North Wales.

For years local residents in Johnstown have been protesting about a large landfill site near their homes.

R4C, working through The Environment Council, were asked by the Environment Agency to facilitate a public meeting of residents, the Environment Agency and relevant local authority officers to help establish better understanding between all those involved.

In two workshops, at different times of day, we ran a process that allowed everyone to speak, share information and hear each other. Residents put forward several ideas for improving communication, which the Agency will be able to take forward.

One meeting will not change deep-seated tensions and suspicion. But it has begun to lay down the basis for moving towards a better relationship based on mutual understanding.

Comments on the day included ‘It’s very good we can come together like this’, ‘We were able to express our views fully’ and ‘I got all the information I wanted’.

For more information about this work please contact Helen Fairweather.