A community-led project that’s exploring a new way to heat homes in a Forest of Dean hamlet got off to an enthusiastic start with residents attending their first information event this month.
The Belfry heat network feasibility project, led by Severn Wye, has been developed in direct response to residents’ interest in moving away from traditional fossil-fuel heating. A heat network could also overcome the practical challenges of individual heat pump installations and the costs of fossil fuels.
Residents from a rural community of 27 homes learned more about heat networks and how they work from Severn Wye’s contractor Rendesco , which is carrying out a technical feasibility study to assess the site’s suitability. The heat network project is supported by Forest of Dean District Council and local landowner David Ardern.
Allison Cawley, Severn Wye’s Director of Energy Services, said: “It was great to meet so many residents and share more details on the project and the benefits it could offer. It’s very much a collaboration with residents, and we’re delighted with the interest shown so far and the enthusiasm to get involved. We’ll be carrying out heat loss surveys in May, and the feasibility study is expected to be completed by July.”
The project is funded by Great British Energy and supported by the South West Net Zero Hub.
