On the outskirts of Bristol, poverty and climate change are being addressed using the same tool - England's largest onshore wind turbine.

On the outskirts of Bristol, poverty and climate change are being addressed using the same tool - England's largest onshore wind turbine. 

"They weren't really interested in climate. They've got more pressing issues today.

The brand new turbine is owned by a community for whom the fate of the planet feels like a comparatively distant problem.

They know ice caps are melting thousands of miles away, but they also need ice in their freezers that are melting now, today," says Mark Pepper, from "Ambition Lawrence Weston" - the team driving regeneration.

The turbine is situated near Bristol Docks and boasts a blade diameter of 115 meters, generating 4.25 megawatts at its peak - enough to power 3,500 homes.

Lawrence Weston is a post-war estate with a mix of small blocks of flats, privately-owned and social housing. It is home to around three thousand households, residing in one of the city's most impoverished wards, with an above-average number of residents receiving benefits.

Mr. Pepper and the team realized that owning their own turbine could generate income. They tirelessly fought for startup funding from local and central government, and secured the majority of the £5 million needed through open market loans. Now, favorable weather conditions yield returns for both the investors and the community.

He said: "The blades turning means that we're generating economic sustainability for impoverished communities.

"We're about to build a £2.1 million community center. We're about to construct 36 affordable, community-designed homes in the local area for those in need of housing.

"We've revolutionized the built environment. No more gas boilers, transitioning to electric vehicle charging points. We've constructed the first 25 passive houses in Bristol."

The turbine itself is located a mile from Lawrence Weston, in an industrial area near Bristol Docks. With a blade diameter of 115 meters, it generates 4.25 megawatts at its peak - enough to power 3,500 homes.

However, it's the locally generated revenue that truly matters, amounting to around £140,000 per year while servicing the debt and half a million per year after it's paid off.

Only one other onshore wind turbine has begun operating in England this year, as the central government has had de facto opposition to their development since 2015. This opposition is now softening as onshore wind is recognized as one of the most cost-effective forms of energy generation.

The key to successful construction lies in local support. David Tudgey, director of Community Power Solutions, who played a vital role in launching the Lawrence Weston turbine, believes that ownership is the best way to gain support.

"There's a phrase in Denmark where they say your pig poop doesn't smell. And I think that's true with this turbine. When you own it, you don't see a blot on the landscape. You see something that you really want," he said.

Mr. Tudgey believes that the approach that worked here can be replicated on a broader scale.

"We're planning to develop ten more, and I'm exploring ways to do more across the country. People want onshore wind, so we don't have a problem with that. This is about owning the asset and ensuring the benefits flow back to the communities," he said.

There are approximately 300 community-owned energy projects throughout the country, mostly focused on wind or solar power. These projects employ various ownership models, including shareholders or "communities of interest" that may not necessarily live in close proximity to the power source itself.

Mr. Pepper showcases the grounds where a new community center will be built, providing training for local tradespeople in green building skills.

He strongly believes that with engagement and ambition, the race to achieve net zero emissions presents an opportunity rather than a threat to disadvantaged communities, and he will never view the weather forecast in the same way again.

He says: "I've never felt so in love with windy weather as I do today."