Community Consultation

If any development is going to be successful, it has to be at the heart of the community within which it is based.  This has always been our belief at Peterborough Renewable Energy Ltd (PREL) and will always be our approach to the EnergyPark for Sutton Bridge.

This is why, over the last two years we have taken the unprecedented step of organising 12 public consultation events, which have given residents and businesses from Sutton Bridge and the surrounding area, the chance to come and meet us, learn about the project and offer us their views.  Over this period we have met nearly 500 people, who have listened to us, challenged us, and helped us to refine the substance of our application. Formal consultation culminated at the end of June 2010 with a four day public exhibition in Sutton Bridge, when we converted part of the Constitutional Club into an Energy Park ‘drop-in’, where members of the community could visit at their leisure to look at the plans, ask questions of our experts and fill in a short questionnaire.  The responses to the survey we’ve received so far are below, but we’re still keen to hear from you so do get in touch and fill one in.  A copy can be downloaded here:

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Energy Park Sutton Bridge – Survey

  • Did you find speaking to us today useful and informative?
  • Are you worried about climate change?
  • Would you support a development of this nature?
  • Would you like to receive regular updates on this project?

Consultation Feedback

The feedback from the public exhibition was overwhelmingly positive, with 97% of survey respondents voting in favour of the development, 3% abstaining and not one person opposing.

After the many months of consultations it was heartening to see that the local community share our enthusiasm for this project and recognise the investment, jobs and environmental benefits that it will bring to Sutton Bridge.

Energy Park Benefits

  • During construction up to 300 jobs will be created
  • Once operational EnergyPark Sutton Bridge will train and employ 80-90 skilled, green collar workers
  • We are also committed to investing in future generations and apprenticeships will be a key feature of EnergyPark Sutton Bridge
  • Each year for 15 years £300,000 will be granted to an independently appointed Social Responsibility Committee in Sutton Bridge, who will decide where the money should best be spent

More Work To Be Done

We have of course listened to a number of concerns along the way – that is of course what public consultation is all about  - and we take away from this process an understanding that the local community would like more information about traffic and emissions.

Both of these issue areas will form key sections in our Environment Impact Assessment (EIA), which we are currently working on.  On publication we will be sure to make this widely available to all who want to see it.

Next Steps

With our consultation responses in, our Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is now underway and we hope to have a planning application in by the end of 2011.

In the meantime, do take a look at some of the consultation responses that we received below, and if there are any further questions please do not hesitate to get in touch.  You can call our Project Manager, Helen Rome, on 01733 348 468 or email her on helen.rome@prel-online.co.uk

And Some Final Thoughts From You…

“Excellent idea – the way forward”

“Apart from the vehicle movements, I think this will be an excellent project to create employment for the village”

“People need new energy and in the current climate need jobs – this is a good idea”

“Interesting Green Solution”

“Looking forward to this project starting up”

“Has all the appearance of a very exciting and much needed development for Sutton Bridge.  Sustainable energy – future proof industry – its a win-win”