Town Mill plans spark greatinterest

New plans at Strathaven Town Mill have sparked an interest in the facility – which could see it become an electricity generator.

Owners of the Strathaven’s Town Mill Arts and Heritage Centre group have revealed they are taking forward major improvements to the historic former grain mill, using its water power to generate electricity.

The plan is to re-establish electricity turbines, driven by the fast-flowing waters of Strathaven’s Powmillon Burn.

The negotiations with Scottish Water are aimed at concluding a system design and a long-term contract to supply electricity on a 24-hour, year-round basis from the mill.

A spokesperson for the group said the plan would help raise “much-needed income to enable The Mill to reach its full potential.”

The Mill’s hydro project is thought to be the only such initiative in Lowland Scotland. It is currently used as a community hub, featuring a theatre and a club room.

Recently, the group welcomed Mr Paul Wheelhouse, the Scottish Minister for the Environment, Business and Innovation and local MP Dr Lisa Cameron, with Madeline Crawford of Local Energy Scotland to the centre to discuss the proposals.

Dr Cameron said: “I was pleased to invite Paul Wheelhouse to the meeting at Strathaven Town Mill. I was happy to provide my support along with the Minister.

“This is fantastic work that is being done here in the Strathaven community by such a dedicated group of volunteers. They provide an invaluable local resource with great potential.

“It is great to see the mill is acting local but thinking global, and taking the impact of climate change into consideration when moving forward with their projects.”

For more information on the proposals visit www.strathaventownmill.org.