A NATIONAL Trust site in west Suffolk has been included in a multimillion pound pilot scheme to slash fossil fuel use.

The heritage organisation will invest £3.5million into a green energy project that will see the installation of eco-friendly biomass boilers at Ickworth, as well as heat pumps and hydropower at four other sites.

The country house in Horringer, one of the Trust’s biggest users of fuel oil, will use wood sourced from the estate to power new boilers.

If the pilot is successful, the National Trust will go ahead with plans to spend in the region of £35m putting renewable technology in 43 of its properties.

The plan aims to generate 50% of the Trust’s energy from renewables and halve fossil fuel consumption by 2020.

Patrick Begg, rural enterprises director at the National Trust, said: “Through our work we show that renewable technologies can be made to work in some of the country’s most sensitive landscapes and historic environments.

“Like householders everywhere we are facing rising energy bills. We spend more than £6 million each year heating and powering the places in our care. By investing in renewable energy production we can reduce our energy bills and invest more in vital conservation work around the country.”

It is hoped the project, which is being developed by Good Energy, will inspire visitors to switch to green power. The National Trust will receive £40 for each member signing up to the dual fuel tariff through the charity.

Plas Newydd, Anglesey, Croft Castle, Herefordshire, Craflwyn, Snowdon and Stickle Ghyll, Cumnria are also part of the scheme.