Sustainable Development

We are looking at the development of Hyde Bank Mill in New Mills in particular. The site has a river running under it and yet no consideration has been given to generating electricity from the river. The High Peak Borough Council and their position on sustainable energy sought

We have subsequently heard that the developer does plan to use the river to develop power. However, no details have been made available to us.

 

Renewable Energy Production Works!

Energy production is one of the main contributors to global warming, accounting for over 25% of all CO2 emissions. It is therefore vital that renewable energy production is expanded throughout the UK, as a matter of urgency.

The High Peak can, and should play a key role in meeting this challenge. Last year High Peak Borough Council passed a motion which supports the use of renewable energy production at the householder level. Whilst this is to be welcomed, this support on its own will not achieve a meaningful increase in renewable energy production in the High Peak.

Every borough has a policy that "encourages" the use of renewables…….but the word "encourage" never persuaded a developer to actually use them.

High Peak Friends of The Earth therefore urges the Council to implement a prescriptive renewable energy policy, to match those which have already been adopted by a growing number of councils, including nearby Oldham Council.

What is a prescriptive renewal energy policy?

A prescriptive renewable energy policy requires developers, through the planning system, to produce a proportion of their energy needs from on-site renewable energy production. Typically, 10% of projected energy needs are met in this way, although there is no reason why adopting a higher figure should not be considered, where feasible.

Without a prescriptive renewable energy policy, many opportunities to provide renewable energy in the High Peak are lost. For example, a recent residential mill conversion at Hyde Bank Mill, New Mills, situated over the fast-flowing River Sett, would have been ideal for a hydro-electric turbine, yet this opportunity was lost, as the developer was not compelled to include such a feature as part of the development.

If a prescriptive renewable energy policy had been in place, residents at the mill would now be benefiting from clean, renewable power being generated on-site.