Enthusiastic response to hydro scheme

3:33pm Wednesday 12th March 2008

There was an overwhelming response to an open day for Settle residents to learn about recently- aired plans for a community hydro-electric scheme on the River Ribble.

The information day was organised by Settle Hydro, a development of Settle regeneration team StART and Settle District Going Green.

"More than 250 people visited the exhibition wanting to find out more about the proposed hydro plant," said Going Green's chairman Steve Amphlett.

"We collected email addresses of enthusiastic local people who want to be kept informed of the progress of the project."

Settle Hydro is proposing to install a 50kW small-scale hydro electricity plant at Bridge End Weir, where power will be generated by the flow of the river. If all goes to plan, it will be the first community hydro in Yorkshire.

It will generate enough electricity to power 35 homes and it is estimated it will cost in the region of £250,000 to create. The group is seeking funding through grant aid.

Helen Walker, director of Water Power Enterprises (h2oPE) who approached Settle District Going Green with the idea, said: "We will be having further discussions with local residents in the next few weeks and seeking the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities."

Anyone wanting more information can email Helen at helen.walker@h2ope.co.uk

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