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Community owned
Renewable Energy
for Kington
Progress report March 2012
Richie Cotterill
KLEEN
or
How to put the wind up your neighbours
Commissioned by
Herefordshire Community Renewables
Introduction
This report is a history of the Kington Local Energy and
Environment Network's attempts to address the energy needs of
the town through renewable technologies. It is compiled from a
mixture of personnal recollection by the author and his collected
documentation of the work, including photographs and poster
artwork.
Its focus is largely on the socio­political aspects of proposals for
RE deployment around the area, rather than technical matters.
The report was comissioned by Herefordshire Community
Renewables in February 2012 as part of a DECC/EST
programme of Local Energy Assessment. The purpose of this
report is to inform policy makers, funders and deployment support
designers of the personal and political reality facing attempts to
deploy renewable energy technologies at a meaningful scale, that
is, seeking genuine local energy sustainability and resiliance.
This report offers both challenges and hope. The challenge is to
formulate measures to accellerate the growth of public trust in
RET's and the evidence base behind proposals for their
deployment. The hope arises from clear evidence that this is an
achievable goal, despite the lengthy process.
Peter Linnell
Co­ordinator Herefordshire Community Renewables
March 2012
1
Context: There’s no place like home –
Welcome to Kington!
Kington was like a Wild­West town; isolated at the edge of this
large rural county at the edge of England, on the Welsh Border
but not benefitting from being Welsh. The character of the culture
was like 19th Century rural, charming and parochial; like Tolkien’s
“Shire”.
Within the town council and its un­elected members long­term
feuds and conflicts of interest dominated the council; dysfunction
and frustration were wasting away our most precious resource;
the human spirit. Lethargy and cynicism were the order of the day,
with law suits and hate mail to follow.
The apparently quaint charm of the town has had a stifling effect
on change here. We used to say that Kington was a great place to
keep yourself to yourself; it is a really friendly, unpretentious and
beautifully situated community, set in this human scale Border
Landscape.
There are Windy Hills all around us; Hergest of legend is a
whale's back of a ridge running swiftly up above all its neighbours.
Broad backed with bracken and gorse; there is an abandoned
horse race track around the top which features a commemorative
Monkey Puzzle tree grove. It is largely overgrazed and affords
views over the surrounding landscape of intimate hills.
Hanter, Wursel, Old Radnor, Herrock, Rushock and of course
Bradnor owned by the NT with it’s celebrated and picturesque
“Highest 18th hole in England”. Tarmac Quarry work is removing
most of Old Radnor Hill just over the Welsh border, as it did at
Dolhir; providing many local jobs and the stone to build ever more
roads!
Anyone who says to me that Wind­turbines will ruin this landscape
by industrialisation is apparently blind to the industrial/agricultural
process happening here historically (still going on!). Once so
much more alive with diversity as wood pastured hills, they have
been stripped of most of their trees and grazed to a hardened
semi­desertified upland. (Lovely remains of Hawthorns clinging to
the slopes)
Bradnor, Herrock, Rushock & Lyonshall host Offa’s Dyke as it
passes by Kington. The national footpath brings loads of walkers
who like thousands before them, for centuries past have enjoyed
these volcanic, sub­alpine views. The proximity of this national
footpath carries a responsibility with it and many eyes will be upon
any proposed wind developments here.
2
Context: The mass debate over wind farms
rages!
There are still border skirmishes going on in this area, but the
battle is now being waged against an invasion of multi­national
interests, violating people’s sense of their landscape by proposing
to put up wind­turbines. A safe, Green technology much favoured
by Europe. But ...
At Pentre Tump, just over the border to the West, beyond and
around New Radnor, are many, many rough­hand­painted “No
Wind Farm” signs along the road. The application would appear to
have been resented and the landowner cast as a greedy,
disrespectful person. In the campaign against the proposed
development and any associated activity there has been
vociferous, co­ordinated and highly vocal opposition.
Reeves Hill/Stonewall Hill near Presteigne is also just over the
border but to our north. The Community Spirit of this normally very
positive, early sign­up Transition Town, from whom we had
learned so much, had become divided by a conflict over attitudes
to the proposed wind farm. The landowner and instigator, Sir
Simon Gorely has been demonised and the wind issues were lost
in a perpetual hail of disinformation.
An ill­informed, celebrity fuelled reportage & emotive local gossip
has pervaded the Hereford Times & Mid Wales Journal’s reporting
for several years. We have witnessed friends and associates in
the area become estranged over the passions raised by their
opposing attitudes and opinions.
Context: Nationally and Internationally
Climate Change debate
In 2008, the arguments over human responsibility for Global
Warming were still raging; not yet consensus in the international,
scientific/political community, but it seemed to me that this is due
partly to a lack of political will; despair in the face of the potential
chaos we and our children confront; to greedy multi­national
interests and to our own small­minded parochialism. You would
have had to have your head in the sand .....
Context: Richie Cotterill & Kington Local
Environment and Energy Network
My background is in radical community action; from CND at age
16, got a Greenpeace early A4 hand Gestetnor’d leaflet, to the
peace movement, Radical anti­sexist playgroups, co­operative
games, free­schools, Green Gathering 10 years running a
3
Travellers’ mobile school project and then home education to
secondary age when we landed in Kington with three children
after 7 years in a flood plain house at Letton.
We kept our heads down in Kington, like every body else seemed
to be doing, raising our family and trying to help them to integrate!
Working on community arts & music projects from time to time, I
got known as a self­employed music teacher/tree photographer
and CK as a sign painter, artist, primary school governor. With an
amazing mind she researches until she knows the answers, or at
least knows who to ask.
Celia also worked for a year for Edward Bulmer Ltd. where she
also helped to establish the North Herefordshire Carbon
Rationing Action Group. A CRAG met amongst his friends and
associates. Carbon footprints were measured and then re­
measured after a year. We had replaced our bought­with­the­
house oil fired system with a bow­saw fed wood­fired Rayburn,
we hardly drive anywhere and we run a low­budget economy, a
mostly vegetarian life­style and reduced our family’s carbon shoe
size dramatically. It really sharpened our thinking!
May 2008
Forming KLEEN
Informally, conversations around Kington were usually of a rather
resigned, “Why doesn’t Kington; if only; and it’s such a shame we
never...” kind. After a few years of this drip, dripping into my “can­
do” mind, I kind of snapped! I called the first meeting for May 1st
2008 which was held it in our high street shop. KLEEN was a
fun/quirky acronym chosen independently, having rejected KLAN
& KIN & PARK etc.
Kington Local Environment and Energy Network (KLEEN) was
formed in 2008 by concerned local residents in response to
growing awareness of issues relating to climate change as well
as pollution in general. Man made climate change is now
recognised by the consensus of climate scientists to be a
massive problem, and we felt that nothing seemed to be
happening here in Kington to address this potentially disastrous
issue. Debates rage over plans for Wind Farms at Pentre Tump
and now Presteigne.
KLEEN members feel that Renewable Energy Sources are a
good idea for many reasons, but we believe they should not be
Large & imposed. Local decisions should be made to provide for
Local needs so that all can benefit; or is that just politics? The
network began by looking at Transition Presteigne who had
become split by the wind farm issue. KLEEN definitely wanted to
avoid repeating the unfortunate circumstances which led to the
conflict. KLEEN are looking to put sustainable projects into the
future Parish Plan, such as a Community Energy scheme.
4
Context: The Presteigne/Reeves Hill back
story
The Presteigne/Reeves Hill back story has been pieced together
loosley by me from conversations with various key players and
with the benefit of hind­sight I can say:
Green Presteigne people were involved in initial community
engagement over this wind farm project with
Landowner/applicant, Sir Simon Gorely, years ago (10+?). Enter
E4All (or its former manifestation) who kind of took over the kind
of community role, determining the kind of deal that could be
done. This was highly disempowering for Green Presteigne
people, causing some conflicts amongst them and putting many
formerly supportive noses out of joint! The argument over pro vs
con raged and became highly personalised and emotive. Every
step of the way seems to have been dogged by opposition and
strife. Looked like a no brainer to us!
September 2008
Enter Energy4All
Context: Enter Jon Halle & Energy 4 All
I met Jon Halle (JH) when he had only just started in his 3 year
job at Sharenergy. He walked in unannounced and had a
conversation with me in the car park, as I was parking cars with
my yellow jacket on. It went something like this;
JH “As of two days ago I work for “Energy 4 All” (E4A). This co­op
founded by 8 existing co­ops, has a fund of grant monies from
Advantage West Midlands to enable local community energy
projects by the people for the people ­ small/ exemplary and
elegant ­ making an exhibition of themselves, small wind turbines
­ chosen positions ­ solar array/trackers ­ small water­power
overshot mini generators ­ everywhere!
RC “Really!? And you could actually help us get organised as a
Co­op in Kington?” And he could!
JH “The situation in Herefordshire is locally unique in that we
have never had serious support from the Regional Development
Agency before. The RDA (Advantage West Mids) have granted
funds to enable projects in the Regional Dev Zone (Borders)
providing us with a window of a very positive funding opportunity.
I'm really hopeful that we can use this opportunity to do
renewable energy projects which are 100% community owned
and span more than just wind power. In my opinion the whole
area would benefit from a joint Regional approach.”
Their largest community­owned project and in some ways our
flagship is Westmill Wind Co­op. See:
http://www.westmill.coop/westmill for lots of info and background.
They've done a variety of wind projects from small totally
community­owned schemes to others where they've secured
5
community ownership of part of a larger commercial windfarm.
http://energy4all.co.uk/energy_projects.
It is planning issues which influence the project decisions most,
currently this is a Local Authority issue but as with little sign of
reaching renewable Energy targets, this may shift to Central Gov.
and work in favour of it, (even be imposed!?) His initial advice
was: find a friendly farmer/landowner to rent a site from and read
Zero Carbon Britain from CAT £5 (www.zerocarbonbritain.com )
Context:
FiTs & Starts
Changes to feed­in tariffs suggest that the price given for
electricity generated and sold to the grid will be much closer to
the purchase price. This should make Co­operative Share issue
based projects and domestic scale installations much more
financially viable. This was very encouraging!
KLEEN arranged for an Open meeting to try to pin­point potential
sites for power generation, such as windy hills, water drops
(head), suntraps etc. A maps­out session to which we would like
to invite the wider community to contribute and comment.
6
RC made the poster in a rush to try to draw attention to the
project to establish our own Community Renewable Power
Generation scheme, to meet the opposition and draw in people
together. RC did not consult the Hergest Landowner (HL) about
the poster image as the KLEEN meeting had a majority feeling
that no scheme should be planned for Hergest Ridge which most
of us consider personally “Sacred”, culturally significant, (Mike
Oldfield’s Album of that name) and locally the best walk, it tried to
illustrate the dilemma by combining iconic images of Hergest
Ridge and Bradnor with grossly oversized wind turbines. It was
meant to be a humorous double think to try to neutralise the
secrecy & self­interest which works against commercial schemes,
the shock of an imposed wind farm and the "how dare they"
factor. We are conducting our community intended scheme
openly, right from the start.
RC was encouraged to tell HL of our event and show him the
poster. His angry reaction was discussed in a brief email flurry
which also drew in the Mayor and CPRE chair BW. This resulted
in a frank exchange of views and HL putting a small public
disclaimer in the Hereford Times (HT) to the effect that he was not
even considering such a project and that the meeting was not his
initiative. The arguments were fairly basic and perfunctory and
probably a local storm in a tea cup. HL stated that he was not in
any way a believer in wind power, which he said has been
scientifically proved to be expensive and inefficient. BW said that
HL was a potential ally who has done much over the years on
environmental issues and who could prove very important in
moving KLEEN’s ideas forward. HL ended the correspondence by
saying “We had better accept that we are on opposing sides in
this debate and may well cross swords on it in the future.”
JH said that he thinks it's a mistake to try to convince everybody
before doing anything. it's our job to do great things that inspire
people (and perhaps eventually bring some of the doubters
round).
Personal & group politics were set back with HL by about 3 years!
Context:
Local politics CPRE & Mayor BW
Wind power is controversial. CPRE oppose schemes in the
Golden Valley and Presteigne. This is not opposition to wind
power as it is often characterised but to the sighting of such
schemes which is often more driven by economic imperative than
wider environmental concerns. In Germany, which is a world
leader in sustainable energy, I have never seen wind farms sited
in areas of high landscape value which is almost always the case
in the UK. I cannot see any point in alleviating one environmental
problem by desecrating the landscape environment which is
7
under such intense pressure anyway.
Because of the big business approach to wind energy in the UK I
have always supported community energy schemes that can take
account of local sensibilities and directly benefit local communities
rather than imposing on them. Hence I fully support your efforts
but advise the need for care in bringing people on side. Water
and possibly solar are less intrusive and in this country water is
available in plenty. Kington has two water flows that could be
examined. Kington Area Regeneration Partnership can possibly
help in furthering ideas so keep us in the loop.
Best wishes, Bob W.
JH answers:
The Reeves Hill site has to have some of the lowest
landscape impact in Herefordshire. Equating the
importance of unobstructed views with the importance of
tacking climate change fails to grasp how big a threat
Climate Change is. Wind turbines are not catastrophic and
are reversible.
Wind farms in Germany are often in areas which have
local landscape value but they are more pro renewables
and have a less fixed idea of what 'landscape' should look
like and their systematic government support for wind has
allowed development in less windy sites where no
developer in the UK could ever afford to operate. Solar is
a no-goer in the UK currently and though hydro is OK it is
financially extremely marginal.
CF of CPRE/KTC expressed absolute opposition to any wind
turbines on this iconic landscape, which she was prepared to fight
“tooth & nail”. A local landowner with opinion shaping influence,
when approached about siting turbines on their land close to
Kington said, “Over My Dead Body!” (OMDB)
Context: Support Reeves Hill
Herefordshire's only planned wind power development, Reeves
Hill. There have been numerous letters of objection. The voices of
those who support wind power and other renewables is not being
heard loudly enough. Reeves Hill will not only be the only
significant wind energy installation in the West Midlands, it will
also incorporate the first community­owned renewable generation
in the region: one of the four turbines will be owned by a
community co­operative set up by Energy4All. This is a chance for
local people to control, invest in and directly benefit from the wind
farm.
In addition there will be a Local Community Fund worth £40,000
per year: the intention is that this will go to alleviate fuel poverty in
8
2009 ­ 2010
the directly surrounding area. (But ammounts to £10,000 shared
between 3 Towns and a certain “Borders Group” whoever that
may be?!)
We believe that the site chosen is appropriate, minimising noise,
landscape and wildlife concerns and delivering significant
amounts of clean energy. There are few if any opportunities for
renewable energy on this scale in the region: basically, if you
support renewable energy in the West Midlands then this is the
time to speak out!
Kington's clean energy options.
Wind Power :
JH said that 2 large turbines, well sited could provide enough
electricity for Kington.
Through the grapevine and face to face by bike RC discovered
that a site owned by a Large Landowner (LW) at XXXXX was
surveyed for wind potential some years ago at the same time as
Reeves Hill. It was ruled out back then it having less wind
capacity than RH and because of its high landscape visibility. The
owner would still be keen to get a scheme going though the
adjoining landowner did not want to get involved back then. LW
would not consider applying for a wind scheme unless it had the
support of the community, having watched in horror as Sir Simon
was demonised and ostracised, even refused service in local
shops!
A Smaller Local Farmer (SW) and friend of Brilley Mountain Eco
has land adjoining the ridge there, and would be keen to host
turbines. Other sites were identified from maps and local
knowledge. Rushock two nearer to Titley, Mayglothling waste site
hill, Woonton Ash Crump Oak Reservoir site, Spond Hill area,
Apostles Lane Ridge (not Terry James’!!), Old Radnor ex­Hill!
(Wales!!) and Bradnor Hill (sacred NT golf course) Hergest Ridge
(HL freeholder not at all interested, restoring the land for ground
nesting birds and conservation) considered sacred by the majority.
Several young people felt that decisions about such matters
should be taken out of the hands of the older generations
because it is THEIR FUTURE that is at stake; an under 25’s only
vote!! Interesting perspective!
JH says, “my feelings are that discussions with the landowners
are easier on a one­to­one basis, meaning discreet and
anonymous landowner­KLEEN­me.”
Site visits to windy farmers discussed £10,000 rent per big
turbine, plus a percentage of the energy generated. Our first
choice was the smaller local farmer (SW) who subsequently
9
became ill and deliberations are slow in forming however, we now
know that he thinks that 100m+ is much too tall for him to impose
on his neighbours, maybe 20­40m, like the taller trees.
Disappointing but informative. GC is working on a way of Wind
Crofting, multiple smaller turbines; problem being they are not
available, and if you get them there is no service infrastructure.
Hydro Power :
Much less controversial and unobtrusive generally we discovered
gradually that Tim Hall’s grandfather(?) had established a 40KW
hydro generator on the Back Brook Weir (now by Atrium) in the
1920’s which provided 12v DC power to some of the town! So,
let’s reinvent the (water) wheel! There are two serviceable weirs
there. Maybe make use of an Archimedes Screw; piped flow;
temporary holding pools and bore system ram pumps. Another at
Broken Bank is rather decrepit.
River Arrow also has three historic weirs, one by Tattymoor (which
used to feed a mill at Sergeants) and by Turners (who may want to
do their own private scheme but not a Co­operative one). Intially
the even larger potential at Hergest Mill was obscured by the
destroyed weir below Hergest Court and its leet being filled in,
disreguarded.
JH ­ “Clearly even the biggest (hydro) project considered is rather
small. From my point of view the only chance this has as a
community­owned project is if the money is raised through a body
which does other things (i.e. the Sharenergy regional co­op idea,
which I have done more work on in the interim). There will be
more on this at the convergence and the chance to figure out
whether this can be done in collaboration with other hydro projects
in the region.
Ainsleigh Rice from Herefordshire Hydro Group is very supportive
and knowledgeable. He came and helped us conduct an initial
feasibility study, a weird survey, on the back of some large
envelopes! Alan Stoyle, the national authority on water mills lives
in Kington and freely gave his advice and support.
10
RC also learned a lot at the British Hydrology Association Seminar
at Crickhowell in July for KLEEN. Having to choose only one
technical survey was hard and we chose the hydro potential at
Hergest Mill over Foundry Weir. We had already had preparatory
meetings about Foundry weir with the Environment Agency and
The Wye & Usk foundation about combining on works to the weir
to reduce costs, and the permission of the landowner.
It was very frustrating. The survey was part of a Marches Share
Energy joint project with Leintwardine, Cleobury Mortimer and
Ludlow essentially sharing costs to make us all financially viable.
In the end the Hergest Mill project was extremely marginal with a
number of tricky issues. HL was willing to allow piping the water
nearly a kilometre across his land; so long as it didn’t cost him
anything and that Richie Cotterill was not involved!
(Stung and further hurt, RC withdrew into the background, having
been driving the project thus far.)
2009 ­2010
Solar and Other Renewables: GC of KLEEN now works for a local
PV & wind company and, at last, lives in Kington. He and a very
few other individual home owners have some solar PV and solar
assisted hot water systems; battery storage extends the
effectiveness of the Grid. He also runs a Battery Powered Electric
Getaway Fiesta Van!
KLEEN’s developing policy
Kington Local Environment & Energy Network exists to support
local people involved in working towards making Kington a more
sustainable, low­carbon town and in acting together to create
solutions to the issues. We are an informal network, able to
respond jointly to matters as they arise.
We are also sharing ideas and activities with the wider
Herefordshire Transition movement, as well as other groups in the
town including the schools and the Town Council. KLEEN have
information stalls at local events and also put on talks and
discussions for particular issues such as Recycling, Renewable
Energy, Household Energy Surveys etc. largely thanks to GC
settling into Kington and getting fully stuck­in to KLEEN.
We are seeking to establish a renewables powered electricity
generating co­operative based here too. In Kington for example
hydro could only provide a small fraction of current electricity use,
even if we used all the sources. We are investigating the potential
for smaller scale wind crofts, but there are serious technical
difficulties both in accessing serviceable medium turbines and in
fitting the co­op model. If we do not find a way forward with this we
will pursue a very windy but highly visible site for enormous
turbines with a confidential full survey by Energy4All. Excitingly,
11
the medium sized wind­turbine/Co­op model will be able to put a
sensible proposal together for our interested landowners at about
100’, still generating almost 100 times more power than the hydro
could (2x250Kw turbines) We decided to hold various educational
events, talks, films and an energy week, which will be publicised
in the Parish News, the new Kington Chronicle Community
Magazine, Broad Sheep Magazine and Local Press.
Autumn 2009
A number of similar groups to KLEEN’s energy group were trying
to undertake community projects but were struggling to gain
sufficient momentum. Many had received negative feedback on
their projects. The easiest projects to promote seemed to be
large­scale PV schemes as these are least contentious and it is
easier to see how such schemes can generate an income
capable of supporting the costs, including the public share issue,
for a community Co­op scheme.
Context:
The Developing National &
International Political Context 2009 – 10
This year at the Copenhagen Climate Summit there was virtually
scientific/political consensus, with ALL the heads of state and full
media glare. But a couple of large countries blew the political will
bit for another few years ...... until after the “financial crisis” is
over!?
The realities of Global Warming as our Climate becomes
dangerously chaotic were all over the news media and even Sir
David “came out”. You couldn’t miss being affected by the news
and the striking images of Glaciers retreating, ice shelves melting.
Let alone the pollution, in toxic rivers, ocean acidification,
massing species extinctions and increasingly violent weather.
Human injustice and inequality exacerbate the suffering of the
poorer vulnerable nations while the rich minority get richer. The
International 350 campaign, highlighting the need for a robust
decision at Copenhagen Climate Talks in December to limit
Carbon Dioxide content of the atmosphere back to 350 parts per
million enjoyed wide local support.
In Britain the much awaited Feed­in­Tariff (FiT’s) are introduced
as an incentive aimed primarily at home owners putting in micro
electricity generating schemes, as well as larger scale renewable
power projects. (Renewable heat certificates for solar hot water to
follow.)
12
February 2010
KLEEN
Energy Week
The idea was thought up to use a high street shop to make
ourselves available to talk, with displays & information, to survey
public opinion (on wind turbines for the area) to offer free
Household Energy Surveys with advice on insulation & reduction,
hold Open House Day for examples of renewable energy
solutions (e.g. LHS Eco Classroom, our Rayburn, GC’s PV etc.),
show a film, hold a HES talk evening and even a public debate on
wind power!!?
Featured amongst the many presentations in Kington KLEEN
Energy Week were a presentation / discussion on the potential for
AD and reed bed swale style sewage systems; signing up for free
Household Energy Surveys whilst demonstrating our range of
power toys from bicycle powered scalextric car racing, to a cycle
generator feel the difference between a light bulb & a kettle!
Amongst the many events held that week, we also made a
memorable “Works Outing” to the Renewable Energy Expo. at
Malvern. “We,” turned out to be RC with a local friendly farmer
being given a lift by OMDB who had now become a YIMBY,
interested in her own options for renewables. The FiTs providing
the financial incentive had changed her personal attitude.
On the journey home, discussing what we had seen, (vertical axis
wind­turbines, farm AD units, PV & Hydro) there was something
13
close to a, “Road to Damascus” moment; a kind of epiphany when
the conversation led on to KLEENs ambition for community owned
wind power and OMDB said, “That’s a good idea!”
The unknown had become familiar.
January ­ March
2010
Energy Descent Action Plan (EDAP) Pilot
Project
Kington Town Council & KLEEN have been selected to work with
HCC through Community First and the Herefordshire Environment
Partnership on a pilot project to produce an Energy Descent
Action Plan (known as an EDAP), which attempts to chart a
staged plan to reduce its overall energy consumption and Co2
emissions. This will need to engage widely with householders,
businesses and community groups including Kington Chamber of
Trade. (KTC was pretty entrenched and conservative led then)
Within the Energy Working group a strong feeling that we should
undertake feasibility studies into sustainable power generation to
establish a local community­owned power generating co­op.
The EDAP process was both confusing and inspiring, too fast and
too ambitious, it definitely helped draw a few more people into
KLEEN. We are finding that the process in Kington is far more
organic and subtle than the rigid Working Group Structure allows,
which is borrowed from the Transition Town movement.
In reality there are enthusiastic people in town who are beginning
to find ways to co­operate on realising positive ideas for
sustainable Kington. It is not about KLEEN becoming anything
other than a catalyst for change in Kington, a place where life can
go on, naturally. It has done so for generations and we live in an
environment that is kind to us and beautiful. It deserves to go on
but needs a little help in adapting to the 21st century threats.
2010 ­ 2011
Good KLEEN Progress
KLEEN is now a network with over 100 members who are helping
to promote sustainable solutions to issues caused by both waste
and the use of energy in the area, and where possible taking
advantage of the opportunities some of these solutions present to
the community as a whole. KLEEN receives no funding and is run
entirely by volunteers, contributing what they can in terms of their
time and resources –everyone could have something to offer and
it is open to all.
Moving forward, the intention is to forge links with other
environment groups in the area, helping each other and sharing
ideas and information, working to increase the resilience of the
area, reducing waste and energy use, saving money and
14
hopefully improving our overall quality of life at the same time.
Community PV: GC has had some good meetings with a wider
group in the Welsh Marches. We think that 50 to 100kW projects
would be feasible, this would need approx 400 to 800m2 of south
facing space. It could be in a field etc, although better might be on
an existing (very large) roof in a location where a lot of energy
would be used locally. I think we have the costings, and the
possible payback. We need possible locations !! So all please
discuss and speak to others – e.g. factory roof (of a long term
company), local gov. buildings.
GC is looking for areas of 400 sq m or more for a community solar
PV project and is talking to Herefordshire Council about such a
scheme. Contact should be made with the owner of Hergest
Camp as that could provide a suitable site for ground mounted
solar PV.
Sharenergy is looking for areas of around 800 sq m for a roof or
ground­mounted community solar PV project. This is being run as
a competition to find the most suitable site. KLEEN members
were encouraged to consider and recommend possible options.
GC had ruled out Hergest Camp as he considered their energy
requirements unlikely to support such a project.
The Hergest hydro scheme: has stalled as HL has not yet
responded to the report and David Woodnut the mill owner
wonders if a cheaper option might be a new weir with a turbine
along­side at Hergest Court rather than using a pipeline to bring
water to Hergest Mill. Turners Mill is progressing its own hydro
power project.
KLEEN is now well established and has a number of effective
practical projects in place for energy conservation, allotments and
litter clearing and an extensive programme of community
awareness­ raising undertaken.
The objective of the KLEEN Programme will be to help create a
resilient, low energy use Kington Community with an effective
local economy, well placed to deal with the uncertainties of
climate change, post peak oil and related economic shocks.
KLEEN Energy: The Energy Working Group is focussed on
energy awareness, saving and generation. It aims to discuss and
develop information about our present sources of energy and
where future sustainable sources could come from. We advise
people on how energy can be saved by improved home insulation
and more efficient energy use through our Home Energy Surveys
(HES). We advise on ways in which energy can be generated and
are seeking to identify and promote larger energy generation
schemes that could lead to a community­owned facility.
Solar Progress: GC to send round a summary of PV projects on
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church roofs which could equally apply to village halls. A meeting
took place in Hereford to encourage PV installers to do a discount
on installations to help with financing difficulties being
experienced. Unfortunately installers already stretched to
capacity. GC suggested setting up a community installation
company to meet this need. Interest free loans previously
available for such projects have dried up. Pete mentioned today's
government announcement of the Big Society Bank ­ might be a
possible source of finance.
KLEEN at
Kington Show
Context:
2012
Current position @ 21st March
GC has presented a PV roof proposal to the Co­op who have now
said that they will do it themselves! We discussed other potential
public roofs and Gordon is now setting up an IPS (Co­op) to
attempt a community PV share issue scheme on the Lady
Hawkins School roof.
There has at the same time been something of a boom in PV
installations on private homes. Often this has a debatable benefit
as many home who can afford the costs also run high­energy
lifestyles to match. (PV on a large farmhouse, with oil­fired
heating to Tshirt levels and an indoor heated pool!)
Wind: Two local farmers with suitable sites who would only be
willing with the Town’s backing!
It is nearly 4 years since we started Kington Local Environment &
Energy Network and in that time we have had a few notable
successes: the local Allotments initiative, consistent KLEEN­UP
litter­picking efforts, Local Energy projects, the free Household
Energy Surveys and more recently the Park View Community
Wildlife Orchard effort with Marches Housing Association which is
now planted­up with local variety Apple Trees. Juice Anyone?
KLEEN has become almost an adopted “brand” which people feel
positive about, having seen us achieve practical success at a time
when all else had been stagnation. RC & HL have rebuilt friendly
relations through drip­drip positivity, perseverance in small matters
(litter picking), a mutual love of trees and the undeniably brilliant
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example set by Celia’s allotments. There is a new community there
and we have got to know people we might never have met
otherwise.
KLEEN has grown from a small network of friends to a
membership mailing list of over 150 and growing. KLEEN Films &
Talks are developing discussions on topics such as Local Food
Production, Waste & Recycling, Sustainable Transport, Trees &
etc. We are networking more positively in the new spirit of "Can­do
and Join­in," with the new wholly elected Town Council, Chamber
of Trade, Festival, Schools, Horticultural Society and beyond,
drawing on the extraordinarily wide range of experienced people in
Kington. We also network widely within the Herefordshire in
Transition Alliance and have our minds open to International
perspectives.
We are also involved in reviewing the Energy Descent Action Plan
in order to contribute ideas to the KLAP process. We are trying to
help Kington prepare sustainable solutions for future food,
transport and energy security and we are always interested in
more ideas for helping all this to come about. Watch out for KLEEN
ideas at the Planning 4 Real events and add your voice.
Mayor Bob W. asked me simply, "What will it take to make Kington
a REALLY Green Town?!"
I have been scratching my head over this simple question for some
time and there doesn't seem to be any one simple answer. Upon
reflection, what I feel is needed is much greater collaboration,
across the whole town, along with lots of mutual and self
education.
Coming soon: Community Energy Seminar
supported by Mayor BW (CPRE) and others.
We want to ask the people of Kington if they would support a
Community Co­op Energy scheme.
When it comes to economies of scale it is wind which with its size,
increases generating efficiency, cost effectiveness and embodied
energy pay back in a way that PV and Hydro can’t. Wood
gasification, double liquification plant might work if we can increase
the wood cover locally.
Presteigne still seems to be riven over the windfarm at Reeves Hill,
with Green Presteigne unable to work with Transition Presteigne
and no­one feeling able to DO anything. It is such a waste and a
shame. KLEEN will not put the interests of the IDEA of the
community wind Co­op before those of our membership and the
local community, but it is really tempting!
Richie Cotterill
23­3­12
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