A grant of over £6,000 from Banks Renewables’ Kype Muir wind farm has enabled a South Lanarkshire climate action group to undertake key projects.
Climate Action Strathaven (CAS), a climate action charity which raises awareness of the climate crisis and increase sustainability measures in Strathaven and the surrounding area, has been awarded £6,200 for a range of projects to benefit the local community.
Arthur Potter, project coordinator with CAS, said: “At Climate Action Strathaven we have been focused on making sustainable choices as accessible as possible for people in our community, and it has been great to have the support of Banks Renewables in delivering a better and greener future for our town.”
£1,200 went towards setting up a cycle repair workshop at Strathaven Town Mill to help locals get their bikes back up and running and encourage active travel across the town.
A further £5,000 from the wind farm fund has since enabled the group to carry out a range of ‘sustainability for all projects’ including installing a water refill eco-hub in Strathaven town centre for refilling reusable water bottles and bike repair vouchers providing 90% off repairs at the CAS workshop.
All applications to the Kype Muir community fund are determined by the Kype Muir Community Panel (KMCP), which has representatives from local community councils and the wind farm operators, Banks Renewables.
Arthur Potter, project coordinator with CAS, said: “At Climate Action Strathaven we have been focused on making sustainable choices as accessible as possible for people in our community, and it has been great to have the support of Banks Renewables in delivering a better and greener future for our town.”
Established in January 2020, Climate Action Strathaven aims to increase sustainability and climate awareness in Strathaven and the surrounding area.
Councillor Margaret Cooper said: “As part of South Lanarkshire Council’s Climate Action Group it’s encouraging to see practical, climate positive steps being taken in the local community. I fully support the excellent work that Banks are doing to support our local communities.”
Now comprised of five trustees, three employees and a swathe of volunteers, the group has set up a number of educational and practical initiatives to encourage active travel, reduce waste and increase sustainability in the town.
Councillor Margaret Cooper, Avondale and Stonehouse ward councillor on South Lanarkshire Council said: “As part of South Lanarkshire Council’s Climate Action Group it’s encouraging to see practical, climate positive steps being taken in the local community. I fully support the excellent work that Banks are doing to support our local communities.”
Robin Winstanley, sustainability and external affairs manager with the Hamilton-based Banks Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Climate Action Strathaven in delivering sustainability for all in Strathaven and the surrounding area.”
In the coming year, the group is hoping to set up a community bus service between Glasgow and Strathaven and launch a retrofitting service to improve the energy efficiency rating of local homes and buildings.
Robin Winstanley, sustainability and external affairs manager with the Hamilton-based Banks Group, said: “We are delighted to be able to support Climate Action Strathaven in delivering sustainability for all in Strathaven and the surrounding area.
“We are looking forward to continuing to work with the group to support more projects that deliver tangible and lasting benefits in the near future.”
The funding received by CAS came from the Kype Muir Community Fund, which started in April 2019 when the wind farm started to generate clean, green electricity and provides £138,000 annually to benefit community groups within 10 kilometres of the 26-turbine Kype Muir Wind Farm.