Proposals for Renewable Energy Supply at Blencathra Centre

Lake District National Park Authority Agenda Item: 10
Authority: 15 December 2010 Page 2
• A 150 kW biomass boiler and associated district heating system linking a range
of buildings on the site; and
• Two combined solar thermal systems to supply hot water for showers, kitchen
and other domestic uses
3.4 In addition to the £500,000 grant, the FSC will contribute £191,000. We have offered
our support to find a further £90,000 of match-funding spread over the three years of
the project and proposals for how we can meet that pledge are contained in
Paragraph 8.1. In order to secure the grant of £500,000, the FSC have guaranteed
to underwrite any match-funding gap.
4 POLICY CONTEXT
4.1 Links to Vision and/or Management Plan:
The Partnership Plan explicitly supports the development of renewable energy
schemes: (Prosperous Economy, Strategic Activity 5).
4.2 Links to the Business Plan (2010-2013):
Contributing to a Prosperous Economy: PE5/6 – working with partners to reduce
CO2 emissions across Cumbria / Supporting and encouraging appropriate energy
generation schemes. The proposal considered planning implications and the FSC
has engaged with our planners through a pre-application enquiry. The policy
framework of the Core Strategy supports these technologies in principle.
4.2 Links to Other Strategic Plans:
The North West Regional Implementation Plan identifies the need to move to a lowcarbon
and well adapted region.
Measure 331 of the Rural Development Programme for England supports training and
information for economic actors in the field of micro-renewable technologies.
5 OPTIONS
5.1 Members can give landlord’s consent to the installation of a combined system of
renewable energy technologies in order to secure £500,000 of external funding for this
sustainable development project. This will require a commitment to help secure
match-funding outlined in paragraph 3.4 and described in more detail in paragraph
8.1.
5.2 Members can refuse landlord’s consent and the project will not proceed.
6 PROPOSALS
6.1 Members are asked to support this project by:
i. giving landlord’s consent; and
ii. supporting match-funding up to the commitment outlined in paragraph 3.4.
6.2 The JMAG has considered the options and supports the proposal. The full RCCF
application is available as a background paper.
7 BEST VALUE IMPLICATIONS
7.1 The Best Value implications are:
a) Challenge – The proposal has been rigorously scrutinised by the RCCF in
awarding £500,00 grant funding
b) Compare – We have supported renewable energy schemes in other locations