Guildford Hydro
Guildford Borough Council is a forward-looking Borough working hard to face the environmental challenges of the 21st Century.
Investing in energy
The Council has invested in energy production with the flagship Guildford Hydro project, generating electricity from the River Wey through an old converted mill. Guildford Hydro, which was installed with the helps of partnership organisations, produces enough energy to power 50 homes.
Working solar-thermal panels, which generate hot water, are on view at the Council’s Millmead offices and a Biomass boiler is in place at the Greenark events facility on the edge of Stoke Park. Schools in the borough have received free energy audits. They can also take part in an energy programme and use free energy advice.
Building for a better environment
The Council has used its existing powers to ensure compliance with Structure Plan Policy SE2, which requires 10% of energy requirements to be met from renewable sources. The Council is also working to implement the Code for Sustainable Homes Level 3 for all new housing proposals and, in the case of non-residential units greater than 500m2, achieving the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) rating of Very Good. The Manor Park development in Guildford achieved a BREEAM and Ecohomes (a version of BREEAM for residential dwellings) rating of Excellent. The Council has also been actively improving the energy efficiency of its own housing stock and was one of the first in the southeast to adopt these measures.
A greener way of getting around town
Guildford has a Park and Ride scheme to keep cars out of the town centre and reduce the need for parking spaces. Bus lanes are in place on important routes to enable ease of bus travel and a network of cycle lanes have been built and cycle racks installed.
To help residents and visitors get around Guildford’s hilly town, there is a free Town Centre Shuttle Bus. For the elderly and infirm, a Dial a Ride facility can be called upon to get around the borough. The Council has a Green Transport Plan for staff and as an alternative to bringing cars to work, pool cars and a bike loan facility are provided. In addition, Guildford Borough Council has joined the Surreycarshare scheme.
Reducing waste and increasing recycling
To help reduce waste going into landfill, the Council offers a kerbside collection service. Materials collected include card, paper, glass, cans, aerosols, textiles, and household batteries also plastic bottles for most residents. A trial collection of food waste is also in place.
Guildford also has an opt-in scheme to collect garden waste for composting. For those who want to compost at home, two sizes of compost bins, green cones for reducing kitchen waste and wormeries are available at reduced rates.
Other activities include a Real Nappy incentive scheme and a Compost Heaven event. The recycling team are on course to achieve a very ambitious recycling and home composting target of 60% by 2010.
Grants and green projects
The Greening the Borough scheme provides grants for a range of energy efficiency and environmental projects. These include outdoor and garden projects, money for sensory gardens, allotment gardens and wildlife areas for schools, community or not-for-profit groups.
Woodland is being managed with wildlife in mind by selective tree thinning to encourage woodland flowers and leaving fallen trees to encourage insects. There are also a number of woodland footpaths to encourage people into woodland areas.
Guildford Greenlife gives residents top tips on living a green life, how to save money through energy efficiency improvements and how to buy ethical services. A SALIX grant to undertake medium and large-scale energy efficiency projects has been awarded by the Carbon Trust enabling the Council to reduce its own CO2 footprint and achieve considerable financial savings that can be re-invested in additional energy saving measures.
Contact Email:
Organisation:
Guildford Borough Council
Funding Details:
Various. Contact council for details
Status:
Ongoing
Organisation’s website:
Keywords relating to this case study:
Education, water resource, energy efficiency, transport, Guildford,
South East groups case study relates to:
Communities
