The planning application for Abingdon Hydro has been published this month on the district council planning portal.
The foreward says The generation of hydro electricity from the River Thames using two Archimedes screws. In addition the site will have publicly accessible observation platform an information centre for visiting groups, and a fish pass in the form of a meandering stream. The land has a public footpath (which will be retained) but it does not currently have any other use.
The end of consultation is 5th December and the expected decision is 27th December.
** As with the application for 160 homes it includes a bat survey. There must be money to be made for surveying bats.
Great idea; let’s hope it becomes another good reason for people to visit Abingdon-on-Thames. The information centre will need to be top class.
In amongst all of the other imminent developments and redevelopments, we still haven’t seen a plan which convinces us that OCC have a solution to handle the increase in traffic, nor has VWHDC demonstrated how the additional demands on car parking will be managed.
All of these multi-million investments need commensurate improvements into the infrastructure around them.
It really is time the Highways Agency was forced to complete the Lodge Hill junction and edge of town parking supported by shuttle buses is developed to alleviate the need for shoppers to drive into town.
It may also be time to move the various fairs to an edge of town location too – a challenge for our MP, but what a relief for those of us who struggle to go about our normal daily life when traffic flow becomes so abysmal. even cycling becomes a nightmare.
Looks good. Hopefully they will be able to move the materials by river and not need to be taking trucks and all the equipment across the abbey grounds which would churn the ground up or need a temporary road putting in
Interesting idea, any idea someone how much electricity this will produce? To me it seems unlikely that the flow is sufficient to produce sufficient electricity. I would like to see the numbers in MW peak, and average numbers.
There’s a website with some detail http://www.abongdonhydro.com
If I read it correctly the maximum output is 65kW/s per screw – but I’d read it yourself to check I haven’t misunderstood the technocal bit – I’m not an engineer.
There’s certainly enough potential to generate plenty of power. Another group are looking at a similar scheme at one of the weirs in west Oxford.
Whether or not it is deemed value for money largely depends on the period of time you allow for the capital to be paid off.