SIR – Roger Clarke is right to raise the issue of hydro power generation at Hirst Mill (Letters, May 28) We commissioned a study of the potential for hydro power at the site some years ago, and were also approached separately by a construction company with an interest in generating renewable energy.

We decided not to pursue hydro power because our site’s potential is not huge, especially when set against costs of construction and connection to the grid.

Other factors included major maintenance costs occurring in the 20 to 40 year time frame, and uncertainties over how much we would be paid for electricity in years to come. Restrictive covenants also apply to our land, and to that of our neighbours, meaning that a hydro power scheme could not be built here.

As stated in the article, the weir suffered a near collapse in July 2012 and repairs are urgently required to secure its future.

Our focus is on preserving the weir and improving fish passage. The factors that led to the rejection of a hydro scheme when first proposed have not substantially altered; in addition, the generating capacity of any new hydro scheme would be reduced by the requirement to maintain water in the fish pass at low flows.

For more information on our project, or to donate, visit hirstweir.co.uk, or come and see us during Bradford Amateur Rowing Club’s Spring Regatta on June 28.

Chris Morley, director, Hirst Weir Ltd, Shipley