Kelston Roundhill and Roundhill Barn

According to B&NES’s web site

All major developments inside or adjacent to an AQMA (Air Quality Management Area)

AQMA is a lovely acronym. But trialling a prototype wind array is hardly a “major development”. Kelston Roundhill, with its stiff fresh breezes is hardly, as far as we know, an AQMA. But it would seem a shame not include some sort of air quality statement in our planning application for renewables. Because as well as beauty and noise air quality – pollution and smell – is a major factor for generating off-grid power in a beautiful location.

It’s reliable, but it’s not pretty. The diesel generator smells and sounds bad. But – climate emergency notwithstanding – it does not require planning permission.

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Just came across a bunch more photos of a particular highlight of last year – Prof Andrew Hugill’s “concert for aural diversity” composed and performed entirely by musicians with a diverse range of hearing conditions. It’s great to reflect on a grey January day on just how extraordinary and moving that sunny day was.

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Images by Miguel from Andrew Hugill’s concert for aural diversity, July 2019.

Dan Spencer writes:

There’s a small new hazel plantation in Barrow’s Stile, with a rather larger new mixed hedge to go in shortly. Together that brings the number of new trees planted on Kelston Roundhill in recent years to around 6000.

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How can Kelston Roundhill, Roundhill Barn and its natural surroundings best support health, learning, happiness and restoration of nature? That’s the question a dozen of us met to consider on a chilly and quite extraordinarily beautiful 21 January.

Roundhill Barn in January sun above Keynsham and Saltford lost in the fog.

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Can seeking planning permission be fun? Can you crowdsource a planning application? Here’s hoping. We’re doing a DIY planning application for the renewables prototype. Now we’re inviting photographs of the prototype wind array with comments and offering award-winning and world beating local organic cheeses for the best half dozen.

Kelston Roundhill prototype wind array just after installation

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Superb new Kelston activities offer. Our partner Moving Mountains is now offering unforgettable fully catered camping residentials at Roundhill Barn.

Kelston Roundhill 29 June 2019: a memorably good time was had by all. Now catered camping residentials are available to everyone. 

They get excellent feedback for the range of outdoor activities they already offer on Kelston Roundhill. This takes it to a new level.

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This is part two of a series; part 1 is here. 

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This is part 1 of what looks set to be a series. More below. 

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The latest route suggested by the British Pilgimage Trust takes you via the magnificent views of Kelston Roundhill to the splendid ceiling of Bath Abbey.

The British Pilgrimage Trust defines what it promotes as a journey on foot to holy/wholesome/special places. Today it published its latest route which is from Keynsham to Bath Abbey.

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Thanks to the 66 people who responded to our wind array trial consultation. The five charts show aggregate responses, with 23 comments below:

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