Park South homes to benefit from £6m energy improvements programme

In line with the Council’s mission to build a greener and better Swindon, the homes will be refurbished so they achieve an improved Energy Performance Certificate rating of ‘C’ or better, compared to their current rating of ‘D’ or lower.

The funding, which includes £1.4m from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, will allow 114 homes to benefit from solar panels, replacement windows with UPVC and new doors to improve energy retention.

Alongside these improvements, the properties will also receive external wall insulation and draught proofing to reduce heat loss, making them easier and cheaper to keep warm. This will help tenants maintain a comfortable living temperature throughout the year.

The delivery of the home energy efficiency improvements is one of the commitments that forms part of the Council’s long-term mission to ‘Build a Greener Swindon’, set out in the Swindon Plan finalised back in July.

The Council has also committed to developing a housing decarbonisation strategy, which will form part of its asset management strategy 2025-2030 and identify future funding to invest in further energy efficiency improvements in additional social homes.

Councillor Emma Bushell, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Organisational Oversight which includes oversight of climate change work, said: “Up to 75 per cent of a building's energy is lost through the walls, roof, floors, windows and doors.

“That’s why, as a social landlord, we’re investing in upgrading and improving the energy efficiency of these homes originally built using non-traditional construction methods.

“It’s one example of how we are progressing our long-term mission to ‘Build a Greener Swindon’ and sits alongside improvements to our country parks and other local infrastructure.”

Councillor Janine Howarth, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Once installed, these new home energy efficiency measures will make it easier and cheaper for tenants to keep their home warm.

“The Council made a successful bid to the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund which has helped to fund some of the work. Wherever funding allows, we are looking to bring forward further plans to improve the energy efficiency of more of our social homes in future.”