By Ross Brewster

Published at 05:39, Friday, 29 August 2008

RESIDENTS of a Lake District village will soon be getting their heating and hot water from pioneering woodchip technology.

A ground-breaking £1m community biomass heating system at Thirlmere, near Keswick, has gained backing from a funding body dedicated to green energy.

The Lake District Sustainable Development Fund (SDF) has handed over £20,000 for a pioneering scheme to provide locals with heating and hot water from the technology.

Two boiler houses will be built and fuelled from surrounding woodland.

Highly insulated pipes are to be installed to carry hot water to houses, which will have their own meters.

SDF co-ordinator Clive Wickham said it was a “hugely exciting development” which fitted perfectly with the fund’s focus on climate change and renewable energy projects.

He told The Cumberland News: “This is a perfect example of sustainability. It will bring woodland, that is currently under managed, back to life, create employment and provide cheaper fuel for residents.

“It is a first for Impact Affordable Energy – a Cumbrian not-for-profit Energy Services Company – which aims to tackle fuel poverty through a variety of measures, particularly in remote rural areas.

“Our panel was delighted to support such a worthy scheme and hopes are high that it will provide a role model which can be copied across Cumbria and the Lake District,” added Mr Wickham.

Education programme Growing Well has been given £7,500 by SDF towards its work in producing organic vegetables and horticultural training.

Based at Low Sizergh Farm, near Kendal, Growing Well operates a six-acre site and runs a programme of educational visits for people recovering from mental health conditions.

Muncaster Chase, a centre for complementary care near Ravenglass, receives £1,000 towards fruit trees and water butts, while Portinscale Village Hall, near Keswick, has got £750 towards a renewable energy feasibility study. St Herbert’s School, Braithwaite, near Keswick, was handed £168 to buy two wormeries for composting.

SDF has helped more than 400 community and environmental schemes with grants ranging from £100 to £28,000.

For further information contact Clive on 01539 792661 or email clive.wickham@lake district.gov.uk.

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk