In support of Cheltenham Borough Council’s ambition for Cheltenham’ to be net zero by 2030, Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) was successfully awarded £800,000 of funding through the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF).
The fund is administered by the Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to improve the energy performance of homes with an EPC rating of D or below.
This award follows the SHDF Demonstrator where CBH was successful in obtaining £40,000 towards the improvement of two homes as a pilot. These works are underway and due to be completed in April 2022.
Councillor Max Wilkinson, cabinet member for Climate Emergency added: “It’s a tough time for households with rising energy costs. Heating homes is responsible for a third of emissions in the UK, so decarbonising is essential to achieving Cheltenham Net Zero. This work is enabling us to reduce energy consumption, carbon emissions and the impact of rising prices for customers, so is a win all round.”
Emma Wall, Executive Director, Property & Communities said: “This important work will improve our existing homes and reduce costs for customers at a time when prices are rising. It will help future proof these homes for the next generation and inform our thinking for building new homes. It is vital we continue to work towards net zero carbon and ensure homes are both environmentally friendly and affordable.”
BEIS suggests tenants whose homes have works funded through the scheme will save around £170 a year on energy bills from energy-efficiency upgrades such as, insulation, and heating systems.
Working in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, CBH is delivering carbon reduction initiatives which include plans for the existing social housing portfolio, to help Cheltenham achieve carbon net zero.
The BEIS Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund project will demonstrate to private homeowners and contractors what can be achieved, providing an example of best practice that others can learn from and help CBH identify which are the best options to adopt for the more than 4,500 homes it has.
CBH has recently adopted low carbon construction for the 24 homes on a Brownfield site at Swindon Road, which recently gained planning permission. Other considerations include solar panels, green roofs and outside space for trees and greenery, making room available for hedgehog highways, bat, bee, and bird boxes to allow wildlife to flourish.
The borough council has recently approved and published a new climate emergency action plan, which will create a pathway to Cheltenham becoming a net zero borough by 2030. The action plan highlights the extent of the challenge Cheltenham faces on the journey to net zero, and identifies short- and medium-term actions needed to reach the goal.
Over the past few years CBH has undertaken a number of projects to drive energy improvements in homes across Cheltenham by upgrading windows and doors to help make its homes more energy efficient for customers. Installing A rated boilers, loft and cavity insulation, Solar PV, Air source heat pumps and low energy lighting.
Contact the press office on communications@cheltenham.gov.uk | 0800 408 0000