Ex-Government scientist backs Dales hydro-power scheme

Proposals have been drawn up to build the 45kw plant on the River Bain, near Bainbridge, which will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of about 40 homes.

The River Bain Hydro project is being largely funded by grants and loans, but organisers have also been inundated with applications for a shares offer, which has now been extended until 5pm on Wednesday next week.

The Yorkshire Post revealed earlier this month that more than 500 application forms had been sent out across the North and as far afield as Cornwall and the Isle of Man.

Dr Pauline Beckett, who formerly worked for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food for more than a decade before it became the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, is among supporters who have bought into the shares scheme.

Dr Beckett, who lives in the Dales village of Carperby with her husband, Martin, has bought 1,000 of shares which she intends to divide up between her two nephews and two nieces.

She said: "I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to get community projects off the ground, and environmental issues are very close to my heart, so I was more than pleased to be able to support the scheme by buying shares.

"This is a hi-tech project bringing the historic concept of hydro power in the Dales right into the 21st century. It really feels like we're part of a community-owned micro-hydro revolution."

A total of 250,000 is needed to buy the equipment for the hydro scheme, and more than half has already been raised. Work is due to start on site this summer.

The new plant will be built alongside the two-mile long River Bain - said to be the smallest river in Britain – and flowing water will be used to turn a generator.

Senior officials at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority hope it will be the first of up to 50 schemes across the Dales.

The prospectus for the share offer can be downloaded at www.h2ope.co.uk