BUCKLAND Monachorum Parish Council has started a feasibility study into whether the parish can support a community energy project.

The study is being funded through the Rural Community Energy Fund (RCEF) which is a £15-million programme, delivered by resource efficiency experts WRAP and jointly funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC). It supports rural communities in England to develop renewable energy projects which provide economic and social benefits to the community. 

Ric Cheadle, parish councillor, said: 'The study will look for the potential for local people to invest in green energy projects within the parish — solar pv, biomass and hydro — in such a way that more of our spend on energy stays in the community and a proportion of the income generated goes to support local, community projects.'

The parish council said it was keen to ensure that people living within the parish know what is being considered and also, whether people might consider investing in such a project.

An information evening will be held on Tuesday, July 14 at 7pm at St Paul's Church Hall in Yelverton with experts on hand to field questions.

If you are interested in cheaper energy bills or becoming a potential investor interested in helping the local community, visit the open evening or contact Lucy Wood at [email protected]">[email protected]