Wind turbine vision for city

It is a vision by environmentalists for the future of heating and lighting in city homes and the proposals are being given serious consideration by Brighton and Hove councillors.

The latest technology in green energy has paved the way for individuals to generate their own renewable power for their homes.

Wind turbines would need planning permission from the city council but, as all local authorities are obliged to encourage energy efficient schemes, the firm behind the turbines is confident its system would win support.

The proposal to furnish homes in Brighton and Hove with turbines and other renewable energy equipment has been put forward by the Green Party on the city council.

They want a £200,000 fund set aside to help people install renewable energy equipment in their homes to boost the level of heat and electricity generated within the city.

Their plans have been welcomed by many in the city, including the Regency Society conservation group, despite some concerns turbines could spoil the look of period homes.

John Small, of the Regency Society, drew parallels between wind turbines and the furore over the siting of mobile phone masts and predicted planning battles ahead.

He said: "There would be conservation concerns. In conservation areas even solar panels and small wind turbines would require planning approval."

However, Mr Small added: "I'm green enough to hope that in many cases an acceptable way of positioning them would be found."

He said there was no easy solution, as was the case with telphone masts.

Solar technology and micro combined heat and power boilers would also be subsidised, while efforts would be made to inspire families to "join the green energy revolution".

With gas and electricity bills rising by more than 30 per cent in three years and further increases predicted, it is hoped domestic production of green energy, known as microgeneration, would bring householders significant savings to their bills in the long run, as well as helping reduce global warming by burning fewer fossil fuels.

Government grants already exist to help pay for half the costs of solar water heaters. But environmentalists said councils also needed to do their bit to make microgeneration affordable.

The price of green technology is expected to fall to its lowest commercial cost this spring when the first wind turbine designed specifically for domestic use is released on to the market. The Windsave unit could go on sale with a relatively affordable price tag of Vision of a windy city about £995 and could be installed in homes for as little as £1,500.

Green Party convenor Keith Taylor said: "Microgeneration has got to be something we really engage with in Brighton and Hove.

"With gas prices going up, any responsible community should make provisions for generating its own power."

The Greens are to propose the fund in a budget amendment ahead of the council's budget setting meeting on February 23, when Labour and Liberal Democrats will attempt to push through council tax rises of 4.9 per cent.

Labour councillors were discussing the Greens' amendment in a group meeting last night.

Labour finance councillor Simon Burgess said: "We are interested in the proposals but things are tight financially and we will have to look carefully at the detail and how it would be paid for."

A similar green energy fund set up by Kirklees Council in Huddersfield has led to the authority becoming home to five per cent of all solar panels in the UK.

Wind turbines could rise from homes across Brighton and Hove under plans to fund green energy schemes.

It is a vision by environmentalists for the future of heating and lighting in city homes and the proposals are being given serious consideration by Brighton and Hove councillors.

The latest technology in green energy has paved the way for individuals to generate their own renewable power for their homes.

Wind turbines would need planning permission from the city council but, as all local authorities are obliged to encourage energy efficient schemes, the firm behind the turbines is confident its system would win support.

The proposal to furnish homes in Brighton and Hove with turbines and other renewable energy equipment has been put forward by the Green Party on the city council.

They want a £200,000 fund set aside to help people install renewable energy equipment in their homes to boost the level of heat and electricity generated within the city.

Their plans have been welcomed by many in the city, including the Regency Society conservation group, despite some concerns turbines could spoil the look of period homes.

John Small, of the Regency Society, drew parallels between wind turbines and the furore over the siting of mobile phone masts and predicted planning battles ahead.

He said: "There would be conservation concerns. In conservation areas even solar panels and small wind turbines would require planning approval."

However, Mr Small added: "I'm green enough to hope that in many cases an acceptable way of positioning them would be found."

He said there was no easy solution, as was the case with telphone masts.

Solar technology and micro combined heat and power boilers would also be subsidised, while efforts would be made to inspire families to "join the green energy revolution".

With gas and electricity bills rising by more than 30 per cent in three years and further increases predicted, it is hoped domestic production of green energy, known as microgeneration, would bring householders significant savings to their bills in the long run, as well as helping reduce global warming by burning fewer fossil fuels.

Government grants already exist to help pay for half the costs of solar water heaters. But environmentalists said councils also needed to do their bit to make microgeneration affordable.

The price of green technology is expected to fall to its lowest commercial cost this spring when the first wind turbine designed specifically for domestic use is released on to the market. The Windsave unit could go on sale with a relatively affordable price tag of Vision of a windy city about £995 and could be installed in homes for as little as £1,500.

Green Party convenor Keith Taylor said: "Microgeneration has got to be something we really engage with in Brighton and Hove.

"With gas prices going up, any responsible community should make provisions for generating its own power."

The Greens are to propose the fund in a budget amendment ahead of the council's budget setting meeting on February 23, when Labour and Liberal Democrats will attempt to push through council tax rises of 4.9 per cent.

Labour councillors were discussing the Greens' amendment in a group meeting last night.

Labour finance councillor Simon Burgess said: "We are interested in the proposals but things are tight financially and we will have to look carefully at the detail and how it would be paid for."

A similar green energy fund set up by Kirklees Council in Huddersfield has led to the authority becoming home to five per cent of all solar panels in the UK.

Wind turbines could rise from homes across Brighton and Hove under plans to fund green energy schemes.

It is a vision by environmentalists for the future of heating and lighting in city homes and the proposals are being given serious consideration by Brighton and Hove councillors.

The latest technology in green energy has paved the way for individuals to generate their own renewable power for their homes.

Wind turbines would need planning permission from the city council but, as all local authorities are obliged to encourage energy efficient schemes, the firm behind the turbines is confident its system would win support.

The proposal to furnish homes in Brighton and Hove with turbines and other renewable energy equipment has been put forward by the Green Party on the city council.

They want a £200,000 fund set aside to help people install renewable energy equipment in their homes to boost the level of heat and electricity generated within the city.

Their plans have been welcomed by many in the city, including the Regency Society conservation group, despite some concerns turbines could spoil the look of period homes.

John Small, of the Regency Society, drew parallels between wind turbines and the furore over the siting of mobile phone masts and predicted planning battles ahead.

He said: "There would be conservation concerns. In conservation areas even solar panels and small wind turbines would require planning approval."

However, Mr Small added: "I'm green enough to hope that in many cases an acceptable way of positioning them would be found."

He said there was no easy solution, as was the case with telphone masts.

Solar technology and micro combined heat and power boilers would also be subsidised, while efforts would be made to inspire families to "join the green energy revolution".

With gas and electricity bills rising by more than 30 per cent in three years and further increases predicted, it is hoped domestic production of green energy, known as microgeneration, would bring householders significant savings to their bills in the long run, as well as helping reduce global warming by burning fewer fossil fuels.

Government grants already exist to help pay for half the costs of solar water heaters. But environmentalists said councils also needed to do their bit to make microgeneration affordable.

The price of green technology is expected to fall to its lowest commercial cost this spring when the first wind turbine designed specifically for domestic use is released on to the market. The Windsave unit could go on sale with a relatively affordable price tag of Vision of a windy city about £995 and could be installed in homes for as little as £1,500.

Green Party convenor Keith Taylor said: "Microgeneration has got to be something we really engage with in Brighton and Hove.

"With gas prices going up, any responsible community should make provisions for generating its own power."

The Greens are to propose the fund in a budget amendment ahead of the council's budget setting meeting on February 23, when Labour and Liberal Democrats will attempt to push through council tax rises of 4.9 per cent.

Labour councillors were discussing the Greens' amendment in a group meeting last night.

Labour finance councillor Simon Burgess said: "We are interested in the proposals but things are tight financially and we will have to look carefully at the detail and how it would be paid for."

A similar green energy fund set up by Kirklees Council in Huddersfield has led to the authority becoming home to five per cent of all solar panels in the UK.