A WEBCAM has gone live – to allow people from all over the world to watch every stage of work to install a hydro-electric turbine at a South Lakeland mill.

Viewers can see the project’s progress through a camera at the Heron Corn Mill in Beetham, beside the weir on the River Bela.

Audrey Steeley, project development manager at the mill, a registered charity, said: “Work is finally under way and the webcam is a great way for us to share our progress with the public. A lot of people are watching.

“It is marvellous for anyone wanting to install hydropower generation as they can see what happens from start to finish. We hope this project can be replicated in other mills around the country.”

So far viewers have seen sand bags installed in the river to create a dam so that cranes can be used on the riverbed.

Limestone has been chipped away from a rock face at the side of the weir so the turbine can be put in place, and a deeper pool is being created to encourage water circ-ulation and flow.

Viewers will also see work taking place to install the machinery and equipment by logging on at www.heronmill.org.

But the project has not been without controversy, with the scheme being labelled ‘disgusting’ and ‘abominable’ by some people living and working in the area concerned about construction work going on at the limestone weir.

Jo Steven, who leads EDF Energy’s green fund, said: “We are proud to be working with Heron Corn Mill to help establish new micro-hydropower generation. This historic mill site can serve a modern purpose by generating green electricity.

“The webcam is a great way to involve the public and we hope it will prove an inspiration to those considering installing this type of renewable energy technology.”

The mill is due to generate its first green electricity by the end of the year.

The 100kW turbine has an estimated annual energy yield of 438,600kWh, an annual carbon emission saving of 486 tonnes, equivalent to offsetting the carbon footprint of all the parish’s homes.

Surplus electricity will be exported to the electricity grid, to provide an anticipated £40,000 towards the mill’s charitable work.