CONCERNS are growing that green plans for a hydro-electric plant on Derby's River Derwent are still being delayed by Derby City Council’s ruling Liberal Democrat cabinet.
The Longbridge Weir Hydro Plant was only granted planning permission last month, even though proposals to generate power from the river were first unveiled by the then-Labour leadership in 2006.
Outline designs were then drawn up, but the idea ground to a halt after the Lib Dems took control of the council two years ago.
The council has blamed the delays on the Environment Agency who raised concerns about flooding.
I have now written to Lib Dem council leader, Hilary Jones and to the Environment Agency demanding a commitment to find a solution.
In my view, too much time has already been wasted in failing to make progress on this project and I want to see work starting before the end of the year.
The hydro electric plant would be a win-win for the council and the city. It would save on public money by providing electricity to civic buildings and make a big dent in Derby's carbon output at the same time.
We've already seen the Lib Dems falter on the 10/10 commitment on climate change, rubbishing their claims that they are an environmentally friendly party.
This proposal was given to them on a plate by the previous Labour cabinet and it's time we saw some action on it. If they don't feel able to push on with the plans, they should at least explain their reasons to the people of Derby.
Under Labour in 2006, the council committed to cutting its carbon emissions by 25 per cent within five years. That target appears to have been abandoned by the Lib Dems, who recently revealed that their target for 2010 was just three per cent
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