It's great to see the community coming together and being awarded funding to help them unpick the big question of how we come off fossil fuel heating in rural communities? I'm keeping in touch to see how the project progresses and how we can share the learning across other communities in Lancashire.

Once again Chipping is working together on a community project. Chipping Community Energy group will hopefully give us a greater understanding on the low carbon energy alternatives available to 'off-gas rural areas' as the country is encouraged to move away from heating oil as the main energy source.

Decarbonising Lancashire is not only necessary for meeting our Climate Change and Net Zero objectives, but also offers an opportunity for Green Growth and the opportunities and jobs that it will bring. The Community Scale low carbon heat project at Chipping is a trailblazer and the learning and insights their work is giving us will inform how we address low carbon heat across other communities.

Climate change and the recent rise in costs of fuel and general living pose challenges for all of us. We're all looking for ways to improve our carbon footprint. A community approach to installing a new, environmentally friendly, village-wide heating system could reduce the cost to each individual. Grants available from the County Council should assist feasibility studies and planning, enabling Chipping residents to play their part in benefitting both themselves and the village by becoming greener going forward.

Chipping Parish Council wholeheartedly supports Chipping Community Energy group working with Prospus Group on the stage 2 feasibility project. Many Chipping residents face the difficult question of how to replace their existing heating systems with affordable, reliable, low carbon systems. It is hoped that by looking at a community scheme a solution can be found that can be used by many residents without the burden of substantial up-front costs.