The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero today confirmed that North East Derbyshire District Council, in partnership with their housing partner Rykneld Homes Ltd, has been successful in securing £8.2m of funding from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
Combined with the Council’s commitment of £13m, this multi-million pound investment will see over 600 council homes in North East Derbyshire receive major home insulation improvements over the next two years, making homes warmer and easier to heat.
This follows a hugely successful scheme of improvements over the past 18 months which has seen over 400 hard to heat homes improved by Rykneld Homes, for which they have recently won two prestigious awards.
The properties, which are of a non-traditional build, will be fitted with External Wall Insulation to make them easier to heat and keep warm. The programme will, where needed, also include new roofs, windows, soffits and fascias.
The improvements will boost energy efficiency and help residents to control their fuel bills, as well as supporting the council’s efforts to cut carbon emissions in the district, saving an incredible 966 tonnes each year.
Lord Callanan, Minister for Energy Efficiency and Green Finance, said, “This investment will help thousands of households to heat their homes for less, keep them warm for longer and could save hundreds on their annual energy bill.
“The green energy sector is growing, and this funding will support green jobs and provide the training needed to deliver these vital upgrades to homes.”
Council Leader, Alex Dale, said: “This is fantastic news. The council is committed to improving its housing stock to benefit tenants and thanks to Council and Government investment, over 600 homes in North East Derbyshire will be easier to heat and keep warm. The work will also benefit the wider community as it helps to improve the environment for everyone by reducing carbon emissions.”
Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Carolyn Renwick said, “We are very proud of our commitment to improve our housing across the district and this latest announcement shows how the Council is determined to continue to tackle the legacy of hard to heat, non-traditionally built homes. The successful Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund bid, combined with the Council’s own financial commitment means we can look forward to carrying out even more of these improvements and follows on from our recent success as Rykneld Homes were named winners of the refurbishment project of the year and carbon reduction project of the year at a recent event.”
Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Cllr Jeremy Kenyon said, “Heating houses accounts for a huge chunk of the carbon footprint of the whole District, and by adopting a ‘fabric first’ approach, and tackling the least efficient housing head on, we are taking a pragmatic approach to addressing climate change, whilst simultaneously improving residents lives and saving them money.”
Richard Welton, Chair of Rykneld Homes, said: “The strong partnership working between Rykneld Homes and the Council has delivered warmer, easier to heat homes across the district and we are delighted to be able to continue the deliver these improvements following the bid success.”
PHOTO: Finished homes in Mickley