A RENEWABLE energy expert has been appointed by H&H Land and Property to advise farmers and landowners on ways to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

Yorkshire-born Victoria Lancaster, who will be based in Carlisle, has lived and worked in Cumbria since 1995. She has spent four years as a Secretary of State appointed member of the Lake District National Park Authority.

She joins H&H from George F White, where as renewables project manager she developed expertise in wind turbine and solar energy installations, as well as advising on biomass boilers, heat pumps and hydro.

Ms Lancaster will assist clients in the submission of applications and documentation in relation to grants and will also prepare and submit planning applications. She is also able to manage the whole process from concept to construction.

She said: “Working across the Scottish Borders and the North of England, my aim is to enable farmers to have a sustainable energy strategy for the future, so that they do not have to rely on increasingly expensive fossil fuel resources and unexpected price hikes.

“Having their own renewable energy sources, either electric or heat, means that farmers and landowners can plan into the future and at the same time secure a diversified income stream. There are new technologies available all the time and clients need someone to keep ahead of the game in order to give the best advice possible.”