Energy in Your Community helps local people explore opportunities for community-owned renewable energy. We can help you understand what may be possible, explore options and find out whether ideas could be feasible.
How we're working with your area This community conversation supports the communities of Peasedown, Wellow and Shoscombe.
The work builds on earlier conversations in Peasedown and Wellow in 2022, when local residents took part in a workshop and survey about community‑owned renewable energy.
That initial work ended when the funding came to an end. In 2025, new funding allowed the conversation to restart and expand to include Shoscombe through the new Energy in Your Community project.
Since then, we have held community events, workshops and surveys. Local people have helped identify ideas and locations to discuss. Community feedback helps us understand whether any options should be explored further.
Progress so far In 2022, the Centre for Sustainable Energy ran a pilot workshop and survey in Peasedown and Wellow. Residents identified thirteen potential locations to discuss further - eight for wind energy, and five for solar energy. You can read more in the 2022 Renewable Energy Conversation Findings report On Saturday 8 November 2025, we held a Community Energy Open Day for Peasedown, Wellow & Shoscombe . The event invited residents to discuss whether or not any of the locations considered in 2022, or community-owned renewables more generally, were supported for further consideration. On Wednesday 25 February 2026, we held a Community Energy Forum . Residents discussed the locations, alongside new technical information, and whether any should be explored in further detail. Read the Community Energy Forum summary report . From 26 May to 15 July 2026, we ran a Community Energy Survey and 237 people responded to the survey. Read the Community Energy Survey report and next steps. We only had funding to investigate technical pre-feasibility in six areas. Further information on how the areas were shortlisted is provided in the survey section below. The areas were assessed to identify land that could be suitable for further technical investigation. Where landowner information was available, the relevant landowners were contacted to explain the process and find out whether they would be open to further discussion. This did not commit any landowner or community to a project. On Monday 21 September 2026, we held a Choosing Your Energy Future workshop . Residents discussed what further exploration could involve, potential community ownership and the idea of a community working group.
"I came away even more enthusiastic than when I arrived. I have a much better understanding of the process and the challenges involved, and it feels like an important conversation for the community to continue."
- Marchelle, Peasedown resident, Community Energy Forum participant
Community Energy Survey The survey report is not a decision. It summarises what people told us during this stage of engagement. No development proposals exist and no decisions have been made.
Overall, 51% of respondents said they would support further conversations to explore the possibility of a community energy project near Peasedown, Wellow and Shoscombe, 29% said they would not, and 18% said maybe.
The survey was open to everyone in the area, whether they were supportive, unsure or opposed to community-owned energy. The results reflect the views of people who chose to respond. They should not be seen as representative of the wider population.
The survey was one part of a wider programme of community engagement. Feedback has also been received through community events, discussions with parish councils, correspondence and other engagement with local residents.
The survey was not a vote on whether a project should go ahead. Its findings do not commit any community or location to a project.
How areas were identified for further research The survey report identified eight areas for continued conversation - five for wind and three for solar.
The survey findings were considered alongside wider community feedback and other factors, including environmental and landscape constraints and proposed Local Plan housing sites.
This meant some areas were removed or reduced even where they had received support from survey respondents. This included removing areas within the Cotswolds National Landscape (formerly the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and areas affected by other environmental, heritage or planning considerations.
The remaining eight locations were then ordered by the level of support they received from survey respondents. There was capacity to carry out further research on six locations.
This was a shortlist for further research. It did not select sites for development.
The remaining locations are part of a wider conversation about what, if any, community-owned energy opportunities may be suitable for the area.
Any option explored further would need more work. This would include:
further community discussion talking to landowners technical and landscape assessments checking grid connections financial feasibility work planning and regulatory processes View the Community Energy Survey report and next steps
Choosing Your Energy Future workshop On 21 September 2026, local residents took part in a Choosing Your Energy Future workshop in Peasedown St John.
The workshop looked at:
what we have heard from the community so far initial pre-feasibility work what further exploration could involve different options for community ownership the possible role of a community working group. Residents also shared questions and feedback about what should happen next.
What happens next We are reviewing feedback from the Choosing Your Energy Future workshop and will respond to questions and themes raised through the discussion.
For anyone interested in taking a more active role in exploring community energy opportunities in the area, we are inviting expressions of interest to join a community energy working group.
To register your interest in joining the working group, please complete the short form .
What could the working group do? The likely aims of the group would be to:
Raise awareness and understanding of community energy locally. Continue conversations with the wider community and gather feedback. Explore how community energy could provide benefits for the local area. Consider the work carried out so far and whether there are community energy options worth exploring further. If an option appears suitable, consider what further feasibility work and community engagement would be needed. Explore different approaches to community ownership. More information about the working group and how to express an interest will be shared soon.
No decision has been made to develop a community energy project.
Learn more about community energy Want to know more about how community energy works?
You can watch two webinars:
The benefits of community energy – find out about community ownership, local energy and community benefits view presentation )The realities of community energy: what are your options? - learn about technical and financial considerations view presentation )You can watch the recordings of these webinars on the What is community energy? page of the Future Energy Landscapes website
You can also visit our Community Energy know-how page for practical guidance and resources,
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