The WaterWheel Project

Sustainability Project Could Cut Cotswold Hotel's Power Bills By Over 50%

A 300 years old coaching inn and hotel in the Cotswolds is seeking permission to install a waterwheel that will help create enough electricity to reduce its bills of over £1,000 per month by at least 50%.

A second project, which will be announced later, is expected to cover other energy costs required to keep the hotel operational, including oil. The total energy bills per month exceed £2,000.

The Inn at Fossebridge, four miles from Cirencester in Gloucestershire, intends to use the fast flowing River Coln, which flows through its four acre grounds, to "drive" the waterwheel.

Experts believe that payback of capital investment will be within 10 years - the period dependent upon grant aid from such bodies as the Sustainability Fund and the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Other organisations and charities seeking to reduce greenhouses gases are also being approached for potential funding.

Robert Jenkins, who acquired the inn and hotel less than three years ago, and has since refurbished most of it, is committed to sustainability. " People talk about saving energy; we have an excellent opportunity to create a system that will both save us significant amounts of money while at the same using natural energy to do it.

"I hope we will be seen as a marker for all those in a similar position to ourselves, who perhaps have the vision have not yet gone on the sustainability journey".

The Inn at Fossebridge, known in coaching days as Lord Chedworth's Arms, after the local landowner Lord Chedworth, is typically Georgian, a feature close to Robert Jenkins' heart - " though it was a wreck when we saw it, I knew it offered huge possibilities and these are now beginning to happen.

"I would like the waterwheel project to be the first of several key Cotswolds tourist attractions; we would like to develop and feature other innovations that have saved money by their invention and the wisdom of those who created them. It is particularly pleasing because my family and our staff are totally behind what could a fantastic project".

Robert, a London business entrepreneur, had never run an inn and hotel before the Fossebridge project. He has been joined by his daughter, Elizabeth, owner of the outside caterers, Mint, and together they have built up a major clientele, both via the hotel and the first cottage to be restored its it grounds.

The family has consulted hydro generation experts SEGEN and hope to tell its evolving story on their website in the months ahead, prior to its hoped for completion around autumn 2008.

Approaches are already in their initial stages with the Environment Agency, Sustainability Fund, Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Cotswold District Council and various tourism bodies.

Ends

Note: All press inquiries please to Robin Thompson 07966 495908; email robin@pollybox.co.uk. Photographs of the property are also available from Robin Thompson.

To return to the News page Click Here