A SHROPSHIRE project has been awarded a £100,000 community energy fund grant.

The funds, from the Midlands Net Zero Hub, will be used to progress the Bishop's Castle wind turbine-powered Community Heat project by Shropshire and Telford Community Energy (STCE), including preparing a planning application for the wind turbine and further studies relating to the heat network.

The work will include ecology and technical studies, and obtaining "expressions of interest" from the town’s householders, organisations and businesses - including the Community College and SpArC Leisure Centre.  The heat network would provide heating and hot water to homes and businesses enabling them to take out old inefficient oil or LPG boilers and fuel tanks.

Shropshire and Telford Community Energy is working with its partners Light Foot Enterprises, an environmental charity based in Bishop's Castle, and Sharenergy, community energy specialists based in Shrewsbury.

Robert Saunders, chair of STCE, said: “We are very grateful to the Community Energy Fund for its grant.  We have been working on this project for several years and have already gained the support of many local people, the Town Council and former MP Philip Dunne.”

The project will be managed by Dave Green of Sharenergy who said: "This is a fantastic step forward for this exciting ground-breaking project which has gathered substantial local support.  We are very pleased to have unanimous support from the council."  

The project has been featured on Channel 4's show 'The Great Climate Fight'.