BISHOP’S Castle Community Energy Co-operative Ltd (BCCE), run by a group of volunteers, is vigorously driving forward a project to install wood-fuelled boilers at the Community College.

BCCE would fund the installation and maintenance of the boilers, raising money to do so from ecological funders, and lease it to the college.

The benefits are enormous: to the college, the local community and cash-strapped Shropshire Council. So far, we have received nothing but support from the college, the governors, parents andmembers of the local community, but the council have yet, as landlords, to agree to the proposal.

The college would have a state- of-the-art, wood-fuel heating system which would be likely to save round £20,000 in the first year, rising year on year as oil costs rise faster than inflation.

The projected total is well over £1m in savings over 20 years.

They would lower the college’s CO2 emissions and provide a resource for educating children about sustainability and climate change. The savings would then release funds for urgent energy-efficiency measures round the college.

The town and surrounding area will benefit because BCCE would own the new boilers and collect the government’s Commercial Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, guaranteed for 20 years, providing a significant income of £750,000 or more.

All profits will be used for social or charitable purposes in the local community. We plan to fit energy-saving materials for those struggling to pay ever- increasing energy bills, install renewable energy projects and help create employment by assisting start-up units with Bishop’s Castle Land Trust.

Shropshire Council will not have to outlay any expenditure, will get a major upgrade to one of its larger education sites and, with little effort, can claim credit towards the county’s carbon reduction targets.

With RHI tariffs reviewed quarterly, it is a matter of urgency for the council to back this scheme before the rates drop and make it unviable.

We really need many more residents, parents and students to show their support:

  • To assist us in winning a grant for a full feasibility study.
  • To show we have strong community support to obtain the capital funding from our ethical investors.
  • To convince Shropshire Council to back the proposal.

Contact BCCE at www.bccommunityenergy.org.uk, Dave Luckhurst on 01588 680 250. Contact Shropshire Council at phil.wilson@shropshire.gov.uk or Phil Wilson, Service Manager, Business Support, Shropshire Council, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury, SY2 6ND.

DAVID LUCKHURST

BCCE

Brockton

Lydbury North