Going Carbon Neutral Project celebrates 20 years this month

November 2025: It is now 20 years since Garry Charnock proposed to the Ashton Hayes Parish Council that it should aim to become England's first carbon neutral village. The Parish Council agreed and since then a tremendous change has happened in the village and its efforts to become carbon neutral have been recognised worldwide.

To mark this important milestone, Steve Holland, with support from RSK, has produced this graphic that highlights key events along the way.

All this could not have happened without the backing of residents and the team running the Ashton Hayes Community Energy CIC. We also give special thanks to Roy Alexander and Kate Harrison who have supported the project throughout this period. And our special appreciation also goes to Ashton Hayes Parish Council, University of Chester and the Primary School for their long lasting support.The project has never used Parish Council monies. Instead it won large grants that covered the cost of bulding the sports pavilion and financed the solar panels on the school and pavillion. The CIC revenues generated from exporting the power continue to support the school, the pub and the sports field.