Members' newsletter 10th June 2016

Emma Bridge

Chief Executive

Community Energy England

High Court Ruling For Severndale Turbine

Resilient Energy Severndale is extremely disappointed to report that the High Court judgement of 10^th June regarding the challenge to the planning permission for the Severndale community turbine was not in the Council’s and our favour. None of the parties in the case disputed the fact that the project would have significant local community benefits and there was no question as to the integrity of the applicant.

The planning permission, issued last September, was supported by a democratic vote of the Forest of Dean District council's planning committee with 10 votes in favour to 3 against with 1 abstention.  The community owned energy model has been recognised as an exemplar both nationally and within Europe and the public social, environmental and economic benefits are already proven at Great Dunkilns St Briavels, with the installed Alvington community turbine and two Stroud turbines (currently under construction) set to follow, improving on the level of benefits for their local communities.

However, focusing specifically on the community fund elements of the project approach in this case, the ruling concluded that these community benefits have no planning purpose and the weight afforded by the council in its balancing exercise was therefore deemed unlawful.

Please read on here.

Member Activity

Member Share Offers

• Bristol Energy Cooperative is looking to raise £5m through bonds and a share offer.
• Southill Community Energy is aiming to raise £3m through withdrawable shares.
• Low Carbon Hub have two products available; they are looking to raise £1.2m and £2.3m through withdrawable shares.
• Brighton Energy Co-op are aiming to raise £1m through shares.
• Halton Lune Hydro aim to secure £976,000 through their share offer. 
• Greater Manchester Community Renewables are looking to raise £140,000 through shares.
• Plymouth Energy Community have a withdrawable share offer open and are looking to raise £1,230,000.
• Bath and West Community Energy are looking to raise £630,000 through withdrawable shares. 
• Energise Barnsley have a transferable bonds offer open and are looking to secure £1,200,000.
• Brent Pure Energy have a share offer open and are looking to raise £60,000.

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