PLANS for an hydroelectric power plant in Sandford-on-Thames have been approved by Vale of White Horse District Council.
At a planning meeting on Wednesday night, councillors unanimously granted permission for three Andritz Archimedean screw turbines on the River Thames at Sandford Weir.
Villagers want to build the £3m power plant, which they say could generate enough power for more than 400 homes.
They have received help from Oxford’s Low Carbon Hub to raise the £3m needed by offering people the chance to buy shares in the scheme.
Like a similar scheme at Osney and one planned for Abingdon, the facility would use Archimedes screws to power a turbine.
At the planning meeting, Kennington councillor Bob Johnston said : “This is a good sustainable scheme and I am all in favour of green electricity.”
Also at the meeting, King Alfred’s School, in Wantage, was unanimously granted planning permission for a two-story, L-shaped science block .
Simon Spiers, executive headteacher of Vale Academy Trust, said: “ This is all about the long-term vision and this is the next step. The science block will help the school provide outstanding education to the people of the town and attract a higher quality of staff.”
Plans for the Wantage Lawn Tennis Club to have four new tennis courts and a pavilion were also passed.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here