Chepstow hopes for share in £10m for energy efficiency

Chepstow could have the greenest leisure centre in Wales if a bid for a share in £10 million is accepted.

Monmouthshire County Council officers, working with Transition Chepstow, are bidding for £500,000 as part of the UK Government's 'Low Carbon Communities Challenge'.

Transition Chepstow's plans involve working with the council to make Chepstow Leisure Centre the greenest leisure centre in Wales, making it more energy efficient and installing renewable energy generation.

If the bid is successful, the scheme will include an education and awareness campaign to encourage schoolchildren, householders and others to reduce their own energy use.  There will be an energy exhibition in the Leisure Centre, and a programme of household visits to encourage uptake of home insulation grants.

The organisers of the bid will find out if they have been granted money for the project at the end of January.

Hazel Clatworthy, Sustainable Development Co-ordinator for Monmouthshire County Council, said:

"We know that the money will help us to make steps towards reducing energy use in Monmouthshire.

"We're very hopeful that our project is seen as deserving funding as we believe we can make a real difference."

Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband, said:

"We're searching for communities across the country to kick start the low carbon revolution.

"The Challenge is an opportunity for communities to lead the way so that everyone can play their part in tacking climate change and save money on fuel bills."

The bid follows Transition Chepstow's success in being selected as a runner-up in British Gas' Green Streets competition in November.  A smaller scale version of the leisure centre project was put forward, but just missed out on getting funding from this scheme.