Oswestry could become a solar town

Schools, colleges and a leisure centre have been approached to see if they would be interested in joining forces with Oswestry town council and other public bodies to build a project to provide green energy.

A report from the Oswestry Solar project working group will be discussed by town councillors on Wednesday.

They will decide whether to bid for national funding for a feasibility study.

If it was set up the scheme would be run by a community benefit society.

One of those leading the move to get a green energy project underway is Councillor Mike Ishwerwood.

A recent seminar run by the working group heard from expert, Jon Halle, who said other towns to set up schemes including Leominster ont he Shropshire/Hereford border.

"In its simplest form the Community Energy Scheme invests in infrastructure, generally on public buildings. This generates power which is used by the building occupants and any excess sold onto the National Grid," he said.

Assistant town clerk, Mr Arren Roberts, said that the town council would need to organise public engagement such as drop-in sessions and information about such a scheme.

This he said would give an indication of the level of support or not for the establishment of a community energy scheme for Oswestry.

"Informal conversations have been held with two local schools, a college and leisure centre to see whether they have eliminated any possibility of renewable energy technology on their property."

He said Shropshire Council was in the process of considering its approach to solar technology but it had not yet considered a Community Energy Scheme.

Councillors will be asked to decided whether to bid for funding from the Rural Community Energy Fund for a grant to cover the cost of a feasibility study.