Hydropower scheme, decision soon
Plans for Britains biggest community hydropower scheme at Teddington Lock are continuing with more detailed analysis on any potential impact on the surrounding environment.
As with most large-scale developments though, the scheme is not without controversy – despite a LBRUT commissioned noise report that has determined that turbine noise levels will fall within residential limits, owners (originally supportive in principle) and members of the Lensbury Club have objected to the scheme because they believe it will affect noise in the grounds of the club/hotel and issued a rebuttal of the council’s findings. Also they have created their own mockups of the structure and believe they will be too intrusive and visible from the Lensbury grounds – this and the dimensions in the mockups are disputed by Ham Hydro group.
http://youtu.be/SSxl-F1pSEI
Ham Hydro is a community interest group established in 2010 to help generate clean, renewable energy from the Thames and the proposed scheme could generate enough electricity to power 600 homes. A 3D animation of the proposed structure has been created so you can see a clearer picture of what it will look like if given the go-ahead. If so, it will require an investment of £5 million, 40% of which is expected to be raised via selling shares.
The plans will be decided at a planning committee meeting mostly likely in October, in the meantime you can add your own comments via the planning application page.