A PROJECT looking into the possibility of hydropower on Dartmoor is investigating communities right across the moor for schemes of all sizes.
Chagford is being used as an example of a community which could produce electricity by hydropower because it has a reasonable sized river nearby and a renewable energy project could tie in with a community plan currently being developed.
But the Times has been asked to make it clear that Chagford has not been identified by DARE (the Devon Association for Renewable Energy) as the 'favourite destination for a major scheme'.
Managing director of DARE Paul Baker said work on the Dartmoor Hydropower Survey was being concentrated in Chagford because it was looked upon as a hopeful community to work with.
'It may be that nothing comes out of our research work in Chagford,' said Mr Baker. 'We have no predetermined idea about what can happen in Chagford.
'At this stage we are just gauging the interest for hydropower schemes right across the moor.'
If the survey stimulates any interested in hydropower, it will be up to individual landowners to develop their own schemes and seek both planning permission and consent from the Environment Agency through the normal planning process.
Anyone who wants to find out more should go along to a community consultation event in Chagford on December 2 from 1pm to 8pm in the Jubilee Hall.