The ground-breaking Teddington and Hydro scheme hopes to raise £2m to build the hydo-electicity turbines in the River Thames.

The scheme, which will see a section of the Teddington Lock weir demolished and three Archimedean screw turbines installed to generate energy, has been met with both support and resistance.

It was first suggested more than four years ago and a number of schemes have been suggested since.

Planning permission was granted for the latest proposal in September and now people have the chance to purchase shares in the project.

Communications director Jono Adams said: "We’ve been overwhelmed by the support so far but people should bear in mind that our share offer must close on November 26, due to government changes to tax relief for investment in community energy."

The Lensbury Club and Pinenorth Properies have both called for a judiciary revew into Richmond Council's decision to grant planning permission for the multimillion pound scheme.

But investors money will be safe - even if plans fall through - because not a penny will be spent until the end of the review.

Ham and Teddington Hydro managing director Steve Jarvis said: "Recent radical changes in government policy have been abrupt and pulled the carpet from under many schemes, but our project is resilient.

"We have faced many challenges before and we are determined to see this scheme through.

"Many local communities throughout the UK have grasped the opportunity to be more resilient and autonomous by developing community renewable energy."

An online petition opposing the scheme gained more than 1,300 signatures earlier this year.

However, there are also vocal supporters of the scheme, which would be the largest of its kind in the UK, including the Green Party’s Baroness Jenny Jones and councillors Stephen Knight and Sarah Tippett.

London mayoral candidate and Richmond Park MP Zac Goldsmith said: "Teddington and Ham Hydro is a hugely exciting local project but it is also important nationally.

"Small-scale, decentralised clean energy is without a doubt a big part of the future, and I believe that, once completed, the project will be among the largest community-run river hydro scheme in Europe.

"In addition to promoting community cohesion, the Teddington and Ham Hydro team have created a pioneering scheme which will generate local employment and provide environmental benefits and community gain."

It is hoped the project would generate up to 500 homes worth of electricity.

Construction is due to begin next summer and for the hydro to be generating power by early 2017, dependent on fundraising.

To find out about the share offer, which has a minimum investment of £250, visit hamhydro.org.

  • Will you be investing in the Teddington and Ham Hydro project or do you oppose the plans? Let us know by emailing tom.ambrose@london.newsquest.co.uk.