Water turbine bid to power Shropshire trust buildings
An electricity turbine powered by water running from a reservoir at a beauty spot in Shropshire could be built within a year at a cost of £120,000, it has been revealed.
The turbine at the top of Carding Mill Valley, near Church Stretton, would be used to provide electricity to nearby National Trust buildings with any remaining electricity sold to the National Grid.
The plans have been drawn up by Stretton Climate Care and the National Trust, who say the turbine would generate electricity by harnessing the power of a stream running down the slope from the reservoir at the top of the valley.
Ideas for the co-operatively owned hydro turbine were explained at a public meeting at Carding Mill Valley Pavilion, which was attended by about 50 people.
They were told the turbine would cost about £120,000 to be raised through a public share offer based on a similar community project on the River Rea at Tetstill Mill in Neen Sollars, near Cleobury Mortimer.
The findings of a feasibility study into the Carding Mill Valley project were laid out by John Halle of Shrew-sbury-based not-for-profit organisation Sharenergy.
David Howard, press and publicity officer for Stretton Climate Care, said: "The extra money generated would provide a return for shareholders who invest in the co-operatively-owned hydro turbine. The meeting was positive and very well attended. The National Trust are very keen on the project as it would help them become self sufficient.
"If all goes well the turbine could be installed within a year. However, there are many things that need to happen before then.
"For example we need to get planning permission and then find shareholders to provide the £120,000. We had enough interest at the meeting to be able to think about setting up a working group to help overcome some of the issues we will face."
