Greenest village in Scotland plans to save families £300,000

Published on Monday 10 November 2008 22:15

A SCOTTISH village will today launch a groundbreaking project that could save residents £300,000 on their energy bills, and cut their carbon footprint by 1,350 tonnes a year.

During a visit today to the picturesque village of Comrie in Perthshire, Richard Lochhead, the environment minister, will announce the latest phase of the Comrie Carbon Challenge project, which will see the homes of all 3,000 residents visited by energy specialists.

The experts, supplied by Scottish and Southern Energy, will advise residents on how to install insulation and use other techniques to cut their energy consumption, potentially saving each household 340.

This is just the latest initiative of the Comrie Carbon Challenge, a project that has so far been run entirely by volunteers.

The scheme has been awarded 300,000 from the Scottish Government's 27 million Carbon Challenge Fund.

Already, the Comrie Development Trust has bought a 90-acre plot of former military land, with the help of a loan from the Tudor Trust.

The organisers plan to transform the former Cultybraggan Army Camp into an area of eco-homes, allotments and renewable energy schemes, such as small-scale hydro projects.

They also hope to create a recycling centre – including a wormery – on the land and build workshops for local businesses.

Mr Lochhead said the village sets a "superb example".

"This project is enormously wide-ranging and there is much for the people of Comrie to be proud of," he said.

"Such a radical move represents commendable action and there is much to be learned from their innovation.

"The street-by-street home insulation plan is particularly striking, cutting carbon emissions and helping residents make significant savings on their heating bills.

"I would urge communities across Scotland to look at what is happening in Comrie and to think about how they could follow suit."

Cathy Tilbrook, chairwoman of the Comrie Development Trust, said she thinks the project can benefit the environment and improve quality of life.

"I believe strongly that climate change is a huge issue for us all," she said. "I also think that making the changes will have social benefits as well, and some economic benefits.

"There could be local employment generated. People get to know each other better. Potentially there are a lot of win-wins."

Alan Caldwell, a director of the Comrie Development Trust, said the project has met with huge local support.

The project has 600 members, making up a third of the village's 1,800 people of voting age.

"Our overall bag is to try to show how a rural community can adapt and become more self-sufficient," he said.

"There is the big picture and the little picture. The little picture is about working with local people and groups to improve the quality of life in the village.

"The bigger picture is about how a rural community could be an example to others in tackling the environmental and economic challenges of the 21st century."

Patrick Harvie, Scottish Green Party MSP, praised the scheme.

"Where Comrie leads, we believe the rest of Scotland will follow," he said. "Properly insulating our homes is the best way to tackle fuel poverty, improve health and beat climate change all at the same time."

Ian Marchant, chief executive of Scottish and Southern Energy, said through supporting local communities there could be "benefit to both people and the planet".

How to change the world, one community at a time

THE Comrie Carbon Challenge has gathered so much momentum that it is one of the best-supported initiatives in the UK.

The Comrie Development Trust was born two years ago at a village festival called "Comrie Alive". More than half of the villagers took part in the opening, and now the charitable trust has about 600 members, out of a possible 1,800. One of the main aims of the Comrie Carbon Challenge is to develop sustainably a 90-acre plot bought by the village with the help of a loan.

If the plans go ahead, eco-houses will be built, creating jobs for local builders.

The trust will also look at the possibility of building renewable-energy schemes. Although wind turbines are unlikely to be popular, hydro schemes could be created and other possibilities, such as biomass plants, will be examined. About 30 allotments could be created to help villagers grow their own food.

Footpaths and cycle ways will be built to link the former army camp to the rest of the village.

All the aspirations of the Comrie Development Trust depend on planning permission being granted. However, organisers say they have the support of the community, with 72 per cent turning out to vote on whether to buy the land, and 97 of those voting in favour.

On top of developing the former Cultybraggan army camp as sustainably as possible, the trust will also aim to influence behaviour among Comrie residents, working with the local school, businesses and other organisations to change travel and shopping habits.

It will explore the possibility of installing renewable-energy schemes in community buildings and will promote community composting and recycling.

Alan Grant, the environment convener for Perth and Kinross Council, praised the efforts of the village.

"Reducing our carbon footprint, both in terms of energy use and other environmental issues, is an important aspect of helping to tackle climate change," he said.

"I am pleased that Comrie will be leading the way and hope the project will pave the way for more communities to live a more energy-efficient and greener life."