Go-ahead for Rotherham hydro plant

It's all systems go for plans to build a new eco-friendly water power plant on the banks of the River Don after they were backed by councillors.As reported in last week's Advertiser, the Oxfordshire-based Small Hydro Company wants to install a hydro-electr

It's all systems go for plans to build a new eco-friendly water power plant on the banks of the River Don after they were backed by councillors.

As reported in last week's Advertiser, the Oxfordshire-based Small Hydro Company wants to install a hydro-electric plant at the Aldwarke Weir near Corus, which could provide power for up to 1,000 homes.

Rotherham Borough Council's Planning Board has now backed the plans, which would involve a 10ft cabin being built on the far side of the weir from Aldwarke Lane and an underground channel containing a 4.5 metre-wide turbine being installed alongside.

The scheme, believed to be the first of its kind in the borough, could generate up to 250 kilowatts of energy at its peak, amounting to 2.5 per cent of the hydro-energy target set out for Yorkshire and the Humber in Government guidance.

The area is prone to flooding, but planning officers have concluded that the hydro plant would not cause any extra problems.

Wildlife-protecting measures to ensure fish and eels are not caught in the machinery would also be included.

The plans were passed with conditions, including a new one covering the removal of Japanese Knotweed from the site.

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