A GROUP supporting sustainable living has been awarded thousands of pounds to investigate the development of a hydropower plant.

Transition Pershore has won a £34,000 government grant from the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) through the Local Energy Assessment Fund to look into a community- owned renewable energy project at Nafford Weir, near Eckington.

The award will enable the group to engage specialist company All Rivers Hydro to fully assess the potential and viability of the proposed scheme, to carry out surveys and to prepare specifications and estimates.

Sharenergy Co-operative will assist with the business side, preparing a business plan and advising on the setting up of a Industrial and Provident Society – an organisation conducting an industry, business or trade, either as a co-operative or for the benefit of the local community.

Eventually, the scheme could generate electricity for up to 250 homes or bring in money for surrounding communities by selling power back to the National Grid. Dr Trevor Pryce-Jones, chairman of Transition Pershore, said: “We’re all very excited about the scheme. Our immediate challenge is to carry out all necessary preliminary work by the end of March, the Government deadline. Early indications are that the site is excellent for the development of a hydropower plant, with potential to generate 190kW at peak.

“Being almost equidistant between the villages of Birlingham, Eckington and Great Comberton, and only four miles from Pershore, we believe the scheme will attract lots of support from these communities.

We are looking forward to being able to present our proposals once the preliminary work has been done.”

Dr Pryce-Jones added that all being well, it was possible a planning application for the scheme could be submitted in the next two months.

Landowners John and Janet Wheatley are also in favour of the project.

Mr Wheatley said: “As the landowner, I’m delighted we’re going to go down the public rather than the private route so everybody locally can have a bite of the cherry.”

Transition Pershore is holding a public meeting on Friday, April 20, at 7.30pm, at Number 8, Pershore, when people can find out about hydropower from Len Marlow of All Rivers Hydro.

For more information, call Trevor on 01386 550642, Paul on 01386 550430 or go to transition pershore.org.