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THURSDAY, 30th SEPTEMBER, 2010.

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INSIDE: OUR COMPREHENSIVE PROPERTY GUIDE FEATURING LOCAL ESTATE AGENTS

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Youth council leads way Readers'ViewsPages22-25 Page 56

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What’s on... What’s gone...

Pages 19-21

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Weir in the money! Turbine plan will deliver power to the people

Water success: from left, Barry Fox, Mr Aston, Mr Guymer, Mrs Williamson, Steve Foster and Coun Brown.

Cash could soon be flooding in for Congletonians following a successful bid for an EU grant.

Dane Valley Rene wable Energy Projects (part of the Congleton

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Partnership) had asked for £250k to build a hydro-electric generator on the old weir at Congleton Park.

And this week the jubilant team heard that its application to the Rural Carbon Challenge Fund had been successful.

Plans for a generator powered by the fast moving river have been in the pipeline since 2007, but progress hinged on securing £400,000 in funding.

The group has already raised £150,000.

Expected to be operational by 2012, it could provide approximately 170,000 kWhr of electricity annually for purchase by local homes and businesses, and surplus energy would be sold on to the National Grid.

The money raised will go towards improving the town, with Congletonians deciding how and where money will be spent.

The team said the scheme could save 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide from being released in the first 40 years.

The next step is to invite members of the public to invest through a share offer scheme,

which will be announced soon.

Team chairman Paul Guymer said: “A community owned Industrial and Provident Society will be formed to operate the facility and future profits from the selling of electricity will fund community grant schemes to produce further energy savings as well as to promote the development of additional renewable energy projects in the local area.

“Now the real work and headaches begin!”

Peter Aston, chairman of Congleton Sustainability Group and a team member, said a visitor centre would also be a part of the project: “A key feature of the scheme is its aim to inform and demonstrate to people the potential of renewable energy systems.

“We intend to add renewable features to the park pavilion and the adjacent ground staff and warden bungalow, so that they can tell the story of the hydro scheme and show residents and visitors alike how they can use renewable energy in their own homes.

“The whole scheme has the potential to educate and encourage schools, visitors and residents to learn more about renewable energy.

“It puts Congleton on the map in the world of renewable energy.”

Following the announcement, congratulations have flooded in from all angles, including

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dence that Congleton is being recognised as an innovative town with a future well worth investing in.”

Cheshire East Council, Congleton Town Council, Congleton Town Mayor Coun David Brown and MP Fiona Bruce, who said: “It is real evi- • —Turn to back page.

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