Mast to test North Walsham wind for community energy project

Mary HamiltonA test turbine has been installed near Cromer Road to see if North Walsham is breezy enough for a community wind farm run by Unity Wind.Mary Hamilton

A test turbine has been installed near Cromer Road to see if North Walsham is breezy enough for a community wind farm run by Unity Wind.

The town could soon be the home of a wind farm that plans to give power to the people, generating cash for the local community as well as green energy for the nation.

Environmental campaigners last week oversaw the installation of a 50m test mast, which will measure wind speeds for a year to check the field off Cromer Road is windy enough to power turbines.

Meanwhile Unity Wind, the industrial and provident society behind the project, hope they will be able to complete the remaining surveys they need to push for planning permission for two turbines.

The group is seeking investments to help make up the remaining �25,000 cost to survey the site ready for a planning application.

The project has been delayed for two years while the Ministry of Defence upgraded equipment at Trimingham, but Unity Wind now hopes to get planning permission in about two years' time, with the turbines going up as soon as possible afterwards.

Energy will be sold back to the grid, and the cash will be used for a fixed yearly donation to the Griffon Area Partnership and a fund for local green energy projects, with the remaining profits split between shareholders.

For more details see the North Norfolk News on Thursday October 29.