Council agrees ambition to boost carbon emission reduction at Leighton Grange, Crewe

3 February 2021

Cheshire East Council has agreed initial steps to boost carbon emission reduction at Leighton Grange, Crewe.

At a meeting of Cheshire East cabinet yesterday, it was agreed that the council can press ahead with its goal to install solar panels to provide energy to the composting plant at the site, along with initiating a tree planting scheme. 

The proposal is still subject to securing appropriate permissions and connections, but the approval enables the council to take the plans forwards, including securing a contractor for the design, build and initial operation of the solar panel array.

Cheshire East Council is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2025 and has agreed a carbon neutral action plan and environment strategy, which clearly set out how the borough can remain a green and sustainable place and highlight priority actions to reduce borough-wide emissions.

As part of their carbon neutral ambition, the council is working with partners and communities across the wider borough to identify opportunities to reduce emissions and produce sustainable energy. The carbon neutral action plan also sets out how the council aims to increase the capture of carbon emissions through initiatives such as tree planting.

Councillor Nick Mannion, cabinet member with responsibility for environment and regeneration said: “I’m delighted that this scheme has been approved by cabinet, which would make a significant impact on the council’s carbon reduction ambitions.

“The project approved yesterday includes the proposed installation of solar panels to supply green electricity to the compost plant at the site, helping the council to achieve up to 26 per cent of our target to reduce carbon emissions through the use of sustainable energy. 

“Alongside this, a tree planting scheme is expected to provide a significant amount of the carbon capture required by the council, helping to offset the emissions we produce as a council that can’t be reduced to zero. And of course, trees provide a range of other benefits to the natural environment. 

“The proposed plans for Leighton Grange will really help us to move forward with our ambitious carbon reduction programme – helping to ensure we can all benefit from a cleaner, greener, more sustainable borough in the future.”

The cabinet report for Leighton Grange, Crewe, can be viewed on our website. 

The environment strategy and carbon action plan can be viewed at www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/environment/carbon-neutral-council/environment-strategy.aspx