By Thom Kennedy

Last updated at 15:17, Wednesday, 10 March 2010

A scheme to build a pioneering hydro-electricity project in Carlisle has received cautious support from locals.

Damien Morris

Related: £290,000 hydro power plan for Carlisle river

While the £290,000 community plan to build a power-generating scheme on a weir on the River Caldew at Holme Head, Denton Holme, is still at a very early stage of planning, with only a basic study ahead of a main feasibility study completed, a neighbourhood forum last night heard comments from residents complimenting the proposals.

However, despite the ‘Archimedes coil’ design being the most fish friendly type of hydro scheme, it has caused concern among anglers who fear it could cause trouble for salmon in the Caldew.

Damien Morris, who organised the original feasibility study on behalf of the CA2 Green Group – part of the neighbourhood forum – also warned that the scheme could be a long time coming with big questions remaining over how it will be funded and who would own it once built.

He said: “It’s a long, long road to look at all the options. The next stage will be to sit down and talk to the Environment Agency and they could say ‘no way’.”

He also revealed that a similar scheme had been discussed by community groups in Dalston.

Water flows over the fall in Denton Holme at a rate of seven cubic metres per second, almost twice what is required for an effective hydro-electrical scheme.

And once complete, the scheme could bring in between £80,000 and £90,000 each year.

After putting aside a percentage of any profits as a contingency should the scheme require repairs, any left over could be spent on community projects.

Mr Morris added: “We have no ownership and it belongs to everyone and you could have a chunk of money coming into the community.

“But if somebody is going to come along and provide the thing no money goes to us.

“We want to make sure that we get a slice for the local community.”

First published at 11:26, Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk