Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral Garry Charnock Ashton

Ashton Hayes Going Carbon Neutral Garry Charnock – Ashton Hayes Parish Council, Chester

Ashton Hayes - Background • 1000 people • 350 houses We are aiming to be England’s first carbon neutral village

Our objectives • A grass-roots project that will help people to take low/no-cost actions that can save money while cutting carbon dioxide emissions • To share our experiences with like-minded communities

Project launch 26 th January Freezing night 400 people attended 75% of adult population

Community support – the catalyst Primary school involvement Energy Saving Trust (EPPLUS) Local business sponsors give £ 3500 Women’s Institute Chester University UEA Cred team Chester City Council Chester County Council

Launch night activity at the school

Press coverage – a key motivation • BBC NW Tonight • Granada ‘Party People’ • BBC Radio 4 • BBC World Service (20 M) • Chester Chronicle articles • Dee 106. 3 Radio regular feature • Local & national newspapers • The Guardian G 2 • Cheshire Life magazine • NW Renewables film • NALC newsletter • WI national newsletter Kate Simms, BBC NW Tonight

Children – the other key motivators

Chester University - verification

Baseline survey May/June 2006 • 6 -week door to door survey • Survey developed through collaboration between the Universities of Chester, East Anglia (UEA) and the EST/EPPLUS teams • Focuses on household efficiency and lifestyle • Has key questions for Parish Plan

Tree planting and biodiversity

GIS mapping

What’s happening? • Our rubbish is being weighed each month and we have topped the local recycling league for 3 months (28%) • We are installing solar panels and wind turbines on the school and houses and planning demonstrations • We have the enthusiastic support of the school and other organisations including Chester City and County • We are seen as a ‘pilot’ small community for the UK and our website is quoted widely. Our methodology will be used • We are making a toolbox and giving direct help to villagers

Solar thermal panel installation

Sharing our experience • Invited to share experiences in: – – – – Stratford upon Avon Hay on Wye (Brilley) Gloucester Chew Magna Wirral Kelsall Blacon

Future possibilities • Estate agent Legat Owen allocating 6000 trees • PWC offering free verified audit of our public buildings • BP expressed an interest in ‘adopting’ the village • EA Technologies assessing the options for a technology test bed • Cheshire CC funding EA scoping study • Seeking DEFRA grant funding for our toolkit

Recording our progress

For further information www. goingcarbonneutral. com