OKEHAMPTON Town Council and Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council are joining forces to explore potential renewable energy schemes in their areas for the benefit of the community.

There is currently the opportunity for the councils to take advantage of a grant from government for a feasibility study to explore renewable energy initiatives across Okehampton and its outskirts. In the near future the two councils will be inviting tenders from specialist consultants to undertake the study.

The study will assess the potential renewable energy resource in the area, with a possible focus being hydropower and solar PV panels. The chosen consultants will talk to landowners and others to see what potential sites might be used for such projects and also work with the community to see if they are interested in forming an energy co-operative to own any renewable installations, using any profit for the benefit of Okehampton and the hamlets.

Town clerk Paul Snell said: 'The town council had planning permission for the solar PV panels on the roof of the Charter Hall. That permission is coming up for renewal, and while the council was looking at that, it was thought to be a good time to enquire at what is out there in terms of funding for green energy initiatives.

'This opportunity cropped up, and it seems one too good to miss.

'This is a real example of both councils working together in unison for the benefit of the community. Both town and hamlets councils will be united in delivering this feasibility study, and inviting local people from the area to get involved.'

At this early stage, the councils have set up a joint group to commission the study and are looking for members of the community to be part of the group. There is no commitment needed to a large amount of work, just an enthusiasm and possibly knowledge on renewable energy initiatives.

Jane Gillard, clerk for Okehampton Hamlets Parish Council, said: 'At this stage we need only a few members of the community to become members of the joint working group to commission the study, but we are inviting everyone from the community to get in touch and be involved in this.

'It may be they don't want to become a member of the joint group but instead just want to offer some knowledge that may be helpful to the group. We are welcoming any involvement.

'Then when we get to the point of the study being commissioned and finished, we will have a new starting point again.

'Then we will be welcoming everyone in the community to get involved and try to make this a community-led project. That is what we want to happen.'

The clerks of both councils would like to hear from anyone interested in being involved.

You can get in touch with the town clerk Paul Snell by email on [email protected]">[email protected] or by calling 01837 53179, or Okehampton Hamlets parish clerk Jane Gillard by emailing [email protected]">[email protected] or by calling 01837 55728.