The Norton Energy Community
 

Owning wind turbines would involve...

... for a start, every household being offered one share in the new community vehicle at the price of £1. The Co-Operative Society has helped us write the company documents which are standard terms on how the new democratic community company would be run. The offer will be extended to each household, business and organisation in Norton, Campsall and Sutton, which amounts to approximately 2,000 members.

Taking a share entitles a household to participate in the decision making processes of the company. The finished project will give the community a lot of financial resources with which to address problems in the local environment of Norton. It will be up to the community company to decide how best to do this. It is hoped that in this way, help can be given at these two levels to help reduce energy use and to make material benefits from the environment.

All this will involve long-term discussions and community decision making in order to agree the best way to invest for the future.

Community Participation

At this point we want to know what you think of the idea. You can register a vote for the scheme on our contacts page.

The turbine location map below shows the extent of the community. If you live outside this area and want give us feedback on the proposal please use the email contact details. We will post all these external comments on the forum ourselves.

For a closer look at the Co-Operative movement we provide this link to the official co-op website which gives a flavour of how communities are coming together to do things for themselves, and another to the Torrshydro website a community owned hydropower scheme in the Peak District.

In consultation with Co-Operative and Mutual Solutions Ltd Origin Energy has produced a model company document which explains in detail the rules and regulations of how the community company might work. We have also published a draft document which has been produced to show how the relationship between NEC and Origin could work

Project Materials

Below are download links to the original project resources. The materials show different things such as wind speed, noise buffers and environmental constraints. The drawings are in PDF format and best printed at A3 size.

The latest information can now be seen on the Gallery Page.

Environmental Impact Studies

Detailed studies are being carried out on how the turbines will impact various aspects of the environment. We have already made preliminary studies which demonstrate that there are no insoluble problems but there is both a legal and an ethical requirement to gauge the impact of the proposal. You can look at the maps which summarise some of the work done so far:

  • Basic Noise Buffers (download)
  • Cultural Heritage
  • Ecology
  • Hydrology
  • Radar & Telecommunications

Ecological Websites Links

BBC Breathing Spaces
Breathing Places is an exciting BBC initiative, which aims to mobilise people to create nature-friendly greenspace across the UK. The website is jam packed full of practical ways for you, your family, friends and neighbours to take practical action in improving your local area.
Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
JNCC is the public body that advises the UK Government and devolved administrations on UK-wide and international nature conservation. Their work helps maintain and enrich biological diversity and conserve geological features. The website has information on habitats, species, geology, protected areas, surveillance, status and trends, ecological legislation and current scientific research on a national, European and international level.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
UNEP is the United Nations system’s designated entity for addressing environmental issues at the global and regional level. Its mandate is to coordinate the development of environmental policy consensus by keeping the global environment under review and bringing emerging issues to the attention of governments and the international community for action. The site not only has information on ecology but wider environmental issues such as harmful substances, eco-system management and environmental governance.
Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment
The Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) is the professional membership body for promoting best practice standards in environmental management, auditing and assessment for all industry sectors. The Institute offers ongoing support to environmental professionals and aims to promote sustainability through improved environmental practice and performance. The website has technical information for businesses including upcoming training courses and conferences.
Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management
IEEM is the professional body that represents and supports ecologists and environmental managers in the UK, Ireland and abroad. The website provides technical advice for the field of environmental management. It also has listings of conferences and workshops that professionals may find useful.
Open Air Laboratories (OPAL)
The Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) network is an exciting new initiative that is open to anyone with an interest in nature. The aim is to create and inspire a new generation of nature-lovers by getting people to explore, study, enjoy and protect their local environment. Online you can find endless ways to communicate with other natural historians, order helpful materials, learn interesting facts about wildlife and most importantly, how to become active in your area.
Natural England
Natural England is the government’s advisor on the natural environment. They provide practical advice, grounded in science, on how best to safeguard England’s natural wealth for the benefit of everyone. Natural England work with farmers and land managers; business and industry; planners and developers; national, regional and local government; interest groups and local communities to help them improve their local environment. The website has a vast range of information from public outreach to more technical information. (Getting involved page: http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/enjoying/gettinginvolved/default.aspx)
BTCV
BTCV is a charity that works on conservation initiatives in the U.K. They have local centres in a large number of cities that provide weekly conservation tasks; from hedgerow planting to building footpaths. The general website has plenty of information about the charity, the Doncaster website provides information on how to get involved in the area. Doncaster: ( http://www2.btcv.org.uk/display/contactus )
The Wildlife Trusts
The wildlife trust is the largest UK voluntary organisation dedicated to conserving the full range of the UK’s habitats and species, whether they be in the countryside, in cities or at sea. The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust is part of the influential UK-wide partnership of 47 Wildlife Trusts. The Trust has worked for more than 60 years to protect wildlife and wild places, and educate, influence and empower people. They manage 80 of the best sites and help others to manage theirs. Their work is helping to secure the future of many important habitats and species, which might otherwise be lost. The website has plenty of facts about wildlife, with plenty of ways to get involved. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust: http://www.ywt.org.uk/about_us.php
BTO
The British Trust for Ornithology has existed since 1933 as an independent, scientific research trust, investigating the populations, movements and ecology of wild birds in the British Isles. The website has facts figures, trends, datasets and surveys on birds that are found in the U.K.
York Naturalist Union (YNU)
The YNU is an association of amateur and professional naturalists covering a wide range of aspects of natural history. They deal with the 'old' county of Yorkshire, as individuals and through our many Affiliated Societies, many of which are local naturalists' groups. The YNU organises field meetings, training sessions and conferences throughout the county. The website has information about upcoming meetings, recording methods and a list of publications.
Doncaster Naturalists’ Society
Doncaster’s Naturalists society aims to encourage interest in all aspects of natural history and to promote the conservation of wildlife and the protection of habitats, mainly within the area covered by the Doncaster Metropolitan Borough. There is a full programme of field meetings during the summer, including amphibian and bat surveys, with indoor meetings and occasional workshops in the winter. Listings can be found on the website.
National Biodiversity Network
The NBN Gateway is a “data warehouse” for biodiversity information, which can be quickly and easily accessed to understand the distribution of particular species in the UK. Individual records, covering plants, mammals, birds and invertebrates, are stored on the NBN Gateway and these can then be displayed on a map of the UK in a number of different ways.
The Ecology Global Network
The Ecology Global Network, is the nexus of the Worldwide Web, international television, international radio and personal data delivery systems regarding all facets of ecology and the environment. The website has radio and t.v programmes, articles, and activities for children and the community.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), known informally as the Biodiversity Convention, is an international legally binding treaty. The Convention has three main goals: conservation of biological diversity, sustainable use of its components, and fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources. The website provides information on the conference of parties, the strategic plan document, 2010 Biodiversity targets, national reports and much more.
UK Biodiversity Action Plan
A Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is an internationally recognized program addressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems. The original impetus for these plans derives from the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).
Doncaster Biodiversity Action Plan
Doncaster Biodiversity Action Partnership has produced a Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) for the Borough. The Action Plan outlines wildlife conservation priorities and provides guidance on how we can protect and enhance biodiversity.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place (such a a forest, mountain, lake, desert, monument, building, complex, or city) that is listed by UNESCOas of special cultural or physical significance. The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Programme administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 state parties which are elected by their General Assembly for a four-year term. The website has the full list of sites and information about the committee, the convention and funding.
Millennium Eco-system Assessment
The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) is a research program that focuses on ecosystem changes over the course of decades, and projecting those changes into the future. It was launched in 2001 with support from the United Nations by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The website has lots of reports, scientific papers, figures and tables. It also has posters, logos and brochures.
World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
For more than 45 years, WWF has been protecting the future of nature. The world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in 100 countries and is supported by 1.2 million members in the United States and close to 5 million globally. WWF's unique way of working combines global reach with a foundation in science, involves action at every level from local to global, and ensures the delivery of innovative solutions that meet the needs of both people and nature. The website has species profiles, project information, methods to conservation species and scientific research.
Living Index Report
The living index report describes the changing state of global biodiversity and the pressure on the biosphere arising from human consumption of natural resources.
Centre of Sustainable Economy
The centre of sustainable Economy consult with governments, businesses, schools, and organizations to analyze complex issues and implement solutions to speed the transition to a sustainable world. On line you can find information on ecological economics, planning, sustainability analysis and on-line tools.
Stockholm Environment Institute
SEI is an independent international research institute. They have been engaged in environment and development issues at local, national, regional and global policy levels for more than 20 years. The website has tools for managing environmental systems, publications and update news.
Environment Agency
The Environment Agency is an Executive Non-departmental Public Body responsible to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and an Assembly Sponsored Public Body responsible to the National Assembly for Wales. The website has information on environmental licences, permits, reports and data.
The International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN)
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice. Online there is information on the committee, research, practical ways to get involved and the latest news on conservation around the world.
Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
Magic
MAGIC was the first web-based interactive map service to bring together environmental information from across government. Partnership working has ensured that MAGIC has provided a sustained operational service to an extensive and diverse range of users far exceeding its original objectives and expectations of stakeholders. Defra is the custodian of MAGIC with Natural England managing the service under the direction of a cross-government Steering Group. The website has the following datasets and many more: Areas of Outstanding Beauty, Areas of Special Protection, Country Parks, Natural Heritage Sites, Sites of Scientific Interest.
Plant Life
Plantlife carries out practical conservation work, manages nature reserves, influences policy and legislation, runs events and activities that connect people with their local wild plants and works with others to promote the conservation of wild plants for the benefit of all. On-line you will find activities and tips on how to conserve important plant species. There is also information on nature reserves and campaigns.
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is a Government Department in the UK. The website has technical information surrounding UK policies and news updates.
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology
The Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (CEH) is a public-sector research centre - part of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) - which delivers independent research, survey, training and knowledge transfer in the environmental sciences to advance knowledge of planet Earth as a complex, interacting system. The website has publications, statistics and data.
Bat Conservation Trust
BCT works on a number of levels to create a better world for bats. They run a range of different projects and initiatives. The website has facts and figures of different bat species, information on their legal protection and technical information on how to perform bat surveys.
Natural History Museum- Nature Online
The online website has forums, news articles, identification keys, kid activities, research information and loads more about natural history.
Botanical Society of the British Isles
The BSBI produces national Atlases and county Floras of the distribution of plants. It publishes a scientific journal, Watsonia, and holds conferences on botany. The website has records, publications, site floras, biographies and research.
European Centre for Nature Conservation
Through various complementary activities, this ECNC programme seeks to increase understanding of the social and cultural context of conservation and improve skills of policy makers and other stakeholders at all levels in Europe in strategic and interactive communication. It contributes to effective implementation of nature and biodiversity policy through for instance advice on development of effective communication, organization and facilitation of stakeholder consultation processes and training in communication. The website has information for businesses, on eco-system and biodiversity assessment, eco-system and species management to policy support.
Council for Environmental Education (CEE)
The Council for Environmental Education (CEE) is a national membership body for organisations and individuals in England committed to environmental education and education for sustainable development. The website has information on events and has tools to help with environmental education.
European Commission-Environment
The main role of the European Commission's Environment Directorate-General (DG) is to initiate and define new environmental legislation and to ensure that agreed measures are put into practice in the EU Member States. Online there is information on policies, funding, resources, news and development.