Neston, Cheshire — Neston Community Energy, a Community Benefit Society*, has been awarded funding from the GB Energy Community Fund to undertake two important feasibility studies aimed at accelerating locally owned renewable energy and reducing energy costs for residents in and around the CH64 area.

The funding will support early-stage investigation and resident engagement and involvement into local renewable generation and the creation of a community-based energy club, both designed to reduce electricity costs, and ensure that the economic benefits of energy generation remain within the community.

Exploring Rural and Rooftop Renewable Energy

The first feasibility study will focus on the potential for solar and/or wind installations on agricultural land and farm buildings in the Neston area, subject to planning permission.

The project will explore opportunities to install renewable energy schemes on suitable farm buildings while allowing the land to remain in productive agricultural use. As part of the concept, the project will also examine the potential to provide electric vehicle charging infrastructure connected to the renewable installation.

If the project proves viable, capital costs are expected to be funded through a community share offer, enabling residents and supporters to invest directly in locally owned renewable energy. Given the possible scale of the project, the study will also consider using the Ethex investment platform to allow ethical investors from outside the immediate area to participate.

Community ownership would be secured through the project being established by the Community Benefit Society (CBS). This structure would allow local residents to become members and have a direct say in how profits generated by the scheme are reinvested for the benefit of the community.

Assessing a Local Energy Club for CH64

The second feasibility study will investigate the creation of a local energy club serving Neston and the wider CH64 area.

The aim of the club would be to enable local electricity consumers to purchase power directly from nearby small-scale renewables generators at a price that benefits both the consumer and the generator. By keeping both the generation and consumption of electricity within the local area, the scheme could help reduce energy bills.

The study will identify which consumers could participate based on the electricity substation to which they are connected and will assess likely community interest and participation levels.

It will also outline a practical framework for establishing such a club, including running costs and operational requirements. Depending on the local electricity distribution network structure, there may be potential for multiple local energy clubs to emerge across the area.

Importantly, the study expects that capital costs for establishing and operating the club would be relatively modest, meaning they could potentially be raised within the community or supported through the feasibility work itself.

Strengthening the Local Energy System

Andy Mills the current Chair of  Neston Community Energy said:

“Securing this support from the GB Energy Community Fund is an important step in exploring how locally owned renewable energy and innovative energy sharing can benefit the Neston community. These studies will help us understand what is possible and how local people can play a direct role in shaping and owning the future energy system in our area.”

The feasibility studies will take place over the coming months, with findings helping to inform the next stage of development and community engagement.

More information here: nestoncommunityenenergy.co.uk

*A Community Benefit Society is a member-owned organisation that runs a business specifically to benefit a community rather than its members.

“We were delighted to see the level of local interest in the potential use of the former landfill site for the generation of  solar energy at the meeting in January,” said Robert Thrift, one of the project managers from Neston Community Energy.  “The second meeting on 19^th March will be to present the conclusions of the feasibility study and to discuss what the possible options are for what could happen next. As ever, we are very keen to involve the community. Input from people at the last meeting has been useful in managing the surveys and considering design.”

The next meeting will take place at Neston Community and Youth Centre in Burton Road, Little Neston at 7.00 pm on Wednesday 19^th March.

For more information please email nestoncommunityenergy@gmail.com

Available support:
Access to community activities
Advice on managing activities relating to daily living
Advice about equipment, aids and adaptations
Cost of living advice and support
Advice on how to access support and activities to reduce social isolation and loneliness
Carer support,

The study is considering the suitability of the former landfill site on the Clayhill Industrial Estate in Neston as a location for a solar park. Robina Hetherington, one of the Project Managers from Neston Community Energy said, “ We have engaged specialist consultants, Scene, to carry out the feasibility study. The site has been surveyed and some preliminary plans have been prepared for people to look at. We are holding a meeting where the consultants will display the plans, and there will be a presentation explaining what has been happening and what the possible next steps might be.”

Members of Neston Community Energy will also be present to answer questions and let everyone know how they can get involved in local energy generation. Robina continued, “We hope that as many people as possible will come and find out about the exciting work that is going on in our community.”

The Public Meeting will take place at 7.00 pm on Thursday 16^th January 2025 at Neston Community Youth Centre, Burton Road, Neston, CH64 9RE.

For further information email : nestoncommunityenergy@gmail.com

Also on Facebook

Consultants Scene Connect Ltd, who are specialists in local energy initiatives, will be carrying out the study. They will be looking at the suitability of the site and considering the financial viability of possible schemes.

Susan Davies, Chair of Neston Community Energy Limited said “It is less than a year since we formed, and we are very excited to embark on the Clayhill Solar Park Study. The study is possible thanks to  a grant of almost £38,000 which has been made possible by an initiative of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The Community Energy Fund is distributed regionally through the North West Net Zero Hub and Lancashire County Council who have helped us with the application process. Back in March, Officers from the Transport, Highways and Climate Change Department at Cheshire West and Chester suggested that we looked at the Council- owned landfill site as the basis of a solar park project, and we have received support from both them and our local councillor. It would be a real achievement to make productive use of land which is otherwise unusable.”

Work on the study has already started and there has been an initial inspection of the site. There will be further surveys and  events are planned for members of the public to see preliminary proposals early next year. Susan said, “We are a community benefit society with local people at the heart of our efforts to increase green energy generation locally, reduce reliance on central supplies and reduce emissions. If a scheme is successful, it can  produce financial benefits which can be returned to the local community in a variety of ways. We hope that as many people as possible will come to the planned events in January and February 2025, not only to find out about the Clayhill project, but also to find out more about what we do.”

Anyone wishing to find out more can contact Neston Community Energy at nestoncommunityenergy@gmail.com.

For more information please click HERE

New weekly Wellbeing Walk starts in Neston

A new weekly Wellbeing Walk is starting in Neston this month.  The Neston walk is being launched as part of the Library Services Health & Wellbeing week on Tuesday 23 January starting at 1pm.  The meeting point is the entrance to Neston Library.  

The circular walk is approximately 45 minutes starting and finishing at Neston Library, it includes a section of the Wirral Way, takes in views over the River Dee, as well as using local footpaths. There will be the opportunity for rest stops at Parkgate. 

The walk is free, walkers need to wear suitable shoes and clothing for the activity and time of year.  Hot drinks will be available after the walk courtesy of the Library’s Warm Welcoming Spaces initiative.  

Councillor Lisa Denson, Cabinet Member for A Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health) said: “Wellbeing Walks are short social walks. Health walks are ideal for anyone wanting to improve their general health and wellbeing, meet new people as well as an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors on your doorstep. 

“This new Neston walk is part of our successful partnership with the Ramblers – Wellbeing Walk Programme. Visit their website and join for free to access all the future walks.” 

For more information on this walk and others running across the borough, check the ramblers website: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/go-walking/wellbeing-walks/neston-wellbeing-walk or email: health.ranger@cheshirewestandchester.govuk