Some readers may have seen the announcement a few weeks ago about the plans for a new eco park at Hempsted. The landfill site was closed in 2019 and the 350 acre site has been only partially utilised as a recycling centre, with a small space used for converting garden waste from around Gloucestershire into compost.

I have been working for nearly two years in concert with the city MP Richard Graham and the site owners Enovert to explore ideas about how we can make better use of the site and some exciting options are now ready to advance.

Planting up to 100,000 trees

The methane gas produced by rotting landfill is currently collected and burned to produce energy. But this is a declining asset and we hope to replace it by planting up to 100,000 trees over 250 acres, which will ultimately be coppiced for biomass. The compost mentioned earlier will be used to improve the soil where the trees are to be planted. This 250 acre Hempsted Wood will also have walking trails and hopefully other features to attract people to the area.

Another 100 acres is going to be used to place solar panels. The current expectation is for two batches of 8,000 panels, which will be used to provide electricity to local businesses. Financial modelling shows that the investment by Enovert into solar panels will be paid off over time by the amount charged for the electricity. At the same time, that electricity cost will be lower for the businesses than from the grid. So, a win-win for all, and an opportunity for the city to produce its own renewable energy.

In the longer term, when planning laws allow, there may be an opportunity for a couple of wind turbines. The total energy produced on site could be as high as 15mwh and excess energy could be used to power a hydrogen production station. Hydrogen produced there could power many vehicles in the future, which travel long distances and would not be able to carry enough battery capacity to cover the length of journey.

The first major step towards a carbon free future for the city
So, from an old landfill site to a renewable energy park with a couple of ideas. An opportunity to develop the first major step towards a carbon free future for the city. A further opportunity to teach a new generation the importance of this step by giving all schoolchildren in the city the chance to plant their own tree.