One of the Interest Groups of Sustainable Frome is the "Transition Network Group" a community-led initiative which is working towards both raising awareness of issues and the creation of an Energy Descent Action Plan for the town, based on work done in Totnes & Kinsale. The thinking behind this is simply that a town using much less energy and resources than we presently consume could, if properly planned for and designed, be more resilient, more abundant and more pleasurable than the present. The project will develop a Frome Energy Descent Action Plan over the next 2 – 3 years (from 2007) as a tool for designing a positive timetabled way down from the oil peak. We are working closely with Vision for Frome to ensure that our plans link with the emerging Community Strategy for Frome.
The discussion forum can be found here - Transition Network where you can find more documents, meeting minutes & info about Somerset in Transition. And if you want more details on the EDAP and ideas about Frome development then you can see the EDAP slideshow to the Somerset Market Towns Forum here. Sustainable Frome & the EDAP, who are we / what is it?
Members are; Katy Duke (chair), Tim Cutting, Ric Swann, Peter Macfadyen, Helen Kay & Alex Malcolm.
Some ideas coming out of the Vision for Frome & LDF consultations; The following maps show google-map based ideas for the town based on its topography and using permaculture principles, focussing particular on the 'edges' between the built up areas and the surrounding landscape. Feedback from the SMTF was very positive. Boundary for study
Frome Forest proposal (existing woodland in dark green, proposed in mid green). Existing woodland map .... Proposed woodland (NB. two pages)
Potential energy generation sites Potential sites around the town based on topography, river and suitability. Flags = wind. Houses = methane digesters. Anchors = water turbines. Suns = solar PV. Energy generation overview
Energy Generation to the north of the town;
Allotments & woodland to the north of the town; shows potential for new woodland (bright green) and allotments (yellow) plus Vallis Veg (middle). Also shows potential for methane generation at the Sewage Works & water turbines at weirs. Allotments & community gardens
If you want to start creating your own maps sign up here and then click on the maps tag and 'My maps', then 'Create new map' (top left). You can find a user guide here.
See also Julie Browns model from the Transition Culture blog
