Plans submitted for a waterfall based hydro system to power Wepre Park visitor centre

Plans have been submitted to Flintshire Planning Officers which if passed will see an electricity producing micro-hydro system installed at Wepre Park.

The proposed 4.5KW micro hydro system will reduce the grid electricity demand at the visitor centre by around 36%, leading to a reduction in the total electricity bill for the site.

The constant flow of water at the picturesque waterfall in will be harnessed to produce renewable energy 365 days a year using a hydro turbine.

Documents accompanying the planning application say the new system would reduce carbon emissions ‘helping to mitigate climate change and will contribute to the targets set out in Flintshire’s carbon management and improvement plans.’

It’s not the first-time Wepre Parks flowing water has been used to produce electricity, records show the Victorian residents of the long demolished old hall used it to power the house.

Originally, water was sent from a dam into a turbine which produced electricity for the old hall.

Flintshire Council’s environment committee gave the go ahead for detailed plans to be drawn up late last year after a feasibility study confirmed a samll hydro scheme would be beneficial.

Powys based Greenearth Hydro was commissioned to develop detailed plans for the system which have been submitted with the application.

Proposed work includes the positioning of a water intake box at the top of the waterfall, the building of a small stone slab roofed power house at the base of the waterfall and cabling up to the visitor center.

As part of the planning process, a consultation process is likely to take place in the near future.

Wepre Park has undergone a £750,000 restoration in recent years which includes £583,400 investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund transforming the park and gardens to their former glory.

The grant, awarded to Flintshire County Council, has funded the restoration of the Old Hall Gardens and improved interpretation at the park.

Wepre Park is the backdrop to Ewloe Castle, an 11th century Scheduled Ancient Monument, which was built by the Welsh Princes during the borderland struggles with Edward I.