Discover the Cheshire village which became a pioneering ‘smart community’

How a Cheshire village became one of the UK's first 'smart communities'

Two decades after locals took climate action into their own hands, Ashton Hayes could soon be England’s first carbon-neutral village

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Back in 2005, most people had never heard of net zero. Electric vehicles felt like science fiction, and solar panels were far from mainstream. But in one rural Cheshire village, the future had already begun.

Fast forward 20 years, and Ashton Hayes is now well on its way to becoming the UK’s first carbon-neutral community, thanks to residents who embraced climate action long before it became a national priority.

It all started with a small idea, a ‘carbon clinic’ where locals could get advice on living more sustainably.

From that modest beginning, the 1,000-strong community has gone on to reduce its carbon emissions by an impressive 40%, driven by a series of pioneering initiatives.

Garry Charnock, founder of the project, said: “We started the project in 2005 with the idea that the community could become carbon neutral. We held a meeting at the school, and 400 people turned up. There was a huge amount of enthusiasm. That’s where it started, encouraging people to explore lower-carbon lifestyles.”

Partnership in action

To take things further, project leaders partnered with SP Energy Networks, the electricity distributor responsible for transporting power to more than 12 million people across the UK.

Their support began with monitoring energy use and conducting feasibility studies to identify where solar panels could be installed, and crucially, how to get them connected to the grid.

Solar panels were fitted on the roof of the primary school, and further panels were later added to the sports pavilion. These installations were funded by a £400,000 grant from the Department of Energy & Climate Change and nearly £300,000 raised locally.

A remarkable impact

The primary school has cut its energy bills by a third, and revenue from the pavilion’s solar energy helps fund ongoing maintenance. Some residents have halved their energy bills through better insulation and smarter energy use.

Ashton Hayes has become a perfect example of what’s possible when communities lead the way on climate action.

And SP Energy Networks is helping other communities across England, Scotland and Wales to follow suit, supporting the UK Government’s goal to generate enough community-based renewable energy to power two million homes by 2030.

The company has developed bespoke Community Energy Guides on its website to help groups looking to launch renewable energy projects or create a Local Energy Plan. These plans help communities assess their current and future energy needs, including electricity, heating and transport, and identify where action is most needed.

SP Energy Networks also highlights practical opportunities to improve energy systems and even explore ways to generate, buy, and trade energy locally, just like Ashton Hayes.

To support this journey, SP Energy Networks connects communities with local experts and support groups offering workshops, advice, and one-to-one guidance.

Kate Harrison is the director of the Community Energy Company and a founding member of the Going Carbon Neutral Project, which has collaborated with SP Energy Networks over many years to research and promote the use of renewable energy in communities.

She said: “We are invited to their regular community planning and sharing meetings and have been excited to take part in case studies, which we can share with our friends around the world, through our website. There is always someone to help with any issues we have encountered with installing solar energy on the local primary school, which requires an improved connection, and on the community pavilion."

Kate is also a member of Ashton Hayes Community Hub, which has been responsible for the Golden Lion project, and has been secretary of the Community Shop Management Committee since 2010.

She continued: "SP Energy Networks helped with identifying baseline consumption figures for the shop, which helped us with deciding on equipment. The information and assistance from SP Energy Networks [for the project] was very helpful. It's great to have an energy project which is so visible to the public."

New strategy launched

SP Energy Networks has launched a new Community Energy Strategy, providing a clear roadmap for the year ahead. The strategy sets out how they will continue to support community groups in developing energy projects and connecting them to the grid.

It highlights the practical tools and resources available, while also reflecting on lessons learnt over the last 12 months, ensuring SP Energy Networks builds on successes and tackles challenges to keep improving.

Louise Taylor, community energy manager for SP Energy Networks, said: “Community groups are at the forefront of creating innovative energy solutions. They provide encouragement and share valuable lessons as we transition to smarter, low-carbon heating and power technologies.

“Our goal is to provide communities with the tools and support they need to develop sustainable energy solutions, ultimately helping to achieve net zero targets.”

She added: “If you’re a community organisation exploring renewable energy, your energy provider should be your first port of call. They’ll help you understand what’s feasible, what benefits you can expect, and how to get started.”

Visit SP Energy Networks' community energy page for more information.

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