Case Study - Holt Area partnership – Solar powered street lighting

A group of villages near Holt in North Norfolk were successful in winning funds in first round of the Cut your Carbon competition to change existing street lights to solar powered alternatives. This exciting pilot project will test out innovative lighting in the villages of Melton Constable, Hindolveston and Warham.

Gary Grunwald, spokesman for the Holt Area Partnership – the umbrella group overseeing the project commented “This will reduce our carbon footprint, reduce light pollution and further enhance the quality of life in these villages, two of which are conservation villages. It will also maintain in a cost effective way, the safety, security and sense of well being of the residents.”

"The Parish Councils are very committed to protecting the environment and we are thinking long term as these lights will reduce energy and maintenance costs. Within Melton Constable the lights in question are currently concrete posts, which the District Council in its Conservation report considered inappropriate for a village of this character and heritage. The proposed new ones are black metal and much more in keeping with the village’s late Victorian industrial heritage.”

“We consider this a fantastic opportunity, not only to show that small communities working together can make a difference to the environment but also provide energy saving and cost savings to our parishes.”

The Holt Area Partnership is currently working with Janice, their community support officer, to finalise their plans. Watch this space for progress on the project!