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A village that famously came together to save its pub is now exploring whether it could create what may be Suffolk’s smallest solar farm.
Westhall, near Halesworth, is at the centre of ambitious plans for a community-owned renewable energy project, with villagers set to meet later this month to discuss whether solar panels or even a wind turbine could generate electricity for local homes.
The idea has been put forward by Kim and Nick Hoare, who were also involved in the campaign to save The Racehorse pub.
A flashback photo of The Racehorse Community Pub that was purchased by villagers (Image: Newsquest)
The village secured a £96,000 government grant in 2021 to help purchase the pub, which is now community-owned and has become a thriving local hub.
The latest proposal is being developed with support from Halesworth Area Sustainability Hub and could particularly benefit locals in a village where more than half of households rely on oil or LPG for heating because there is no mains gas supply.
Mrs Hoare said: “What would be more exciting would be an energy project owned by the community itself which could be wind turbines or solar panels and which could generate electricity for the people of the village, entirely for the benefit of the community.
The idea has been put forward by Kim and Nick Hoare, who were also involved in the campaign to save The Racehorse pub. (Image: Supplied)
“They’d get a discount and a say over what the people of Westhall wanted, where they wanted it and what benefits they would like to see from it.”
Profits generated by the scheme could also fund wider community benefits, including electric vehicle initiatives and charging points.
The Racehorse Community Pub in Westhall had been purchased by the Race for the Racehorse campaign (Image: Newsquest)
Although five wind turbines built on nearby land owned by a Bernard Matthews poultry plant proved controversial with some locals, Mrs Hoare believes a community-owned alternative would be viewed differently.
“We all know green energy is the direction of travel, and it’s so much better to have ownership and control of it rather than have it imposed on you,” she said.
A workshop to discuss the proposals will be held at Westhall Village Hall on September 26.
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