James Sunderland joins Cllr Dorothy Hayes MBE, Guy Opperman MP, Minister for Pensions and Financial Inclusion and Windsor MP Adam Afriyie at the closed landfill site at London Road, Ascot on the border of the Windsor and Bracknell Constituencies.

Bracknell Forest Council is delivering on its commitment to be net zero by 2050 and they discussed potential for decarbonisation initiatives at the site as part of the council’s climate change strategy and action plan.

The 15 hectare site has been closed for a number of years and has been identified by the council for a range of possible projects, including a charging hub, solar array and storage batteries. As a closed landfill site, it is uneconomic for residential or industrial development, so the council is exploring how to use brownfield sites like this one for green initiatives.

James said:

“The Government is actively reviewing and encouraging opportunities for pension funds to invest in long term strategic developments that meet the Government’s drive for long term energy security and achieving carbon zero targets.

“I am working in close partnership with Adam Afriyie MP and we are both supporting the council’s desire to see a scheme delivered on the site.

“I welcome this type of innovative thinking and diligence on behalf to utilise council assets not suitable for any other economic activity. Given the current situation in Europe low cost and environmentally sustainable energy security for the country is imperative.”