Member Article

£4m project to improve energy efficiency in Stockton

A new £3.9 million project to end fuel poverty in Stockton-on-Tees has been launched, in a bid to deliver energy efficiency measures to more than 400 homes in the area.

GoWarm Parkfield is being run by fuel poverty specialists GoWarm in partnership with Stockton Borough Council, and will help deliver energy efficiency measures and benefits advice to three areas of Stockton’s Parkfield ward.

The first stages of the project involved fitting external cladding, heating, onsulation and draft proofing to more than 50 properties in Tarring Street.

Karen Hindhaugh, Director of GoWarm said: “We are delighted to now have work underway on the GoWarm Parkfield scheme and to have been able to celebrate this landmark with residents, councilors and Government representatives who were given a tour of the site at its official launch.”

The new scheme will fit homes in the area with a number of energy efficient measures, all designed to help residents lower their bills and make their homes more comfortable to live in. The first stage of work is expected to be complete in the next few days, and will then be rolled out across a number of other qualifying areas. The project is expected to be finished by the end of the summer.

Councillor David Rose, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “Fuel poverty is a huge challenge, with rising energy prices, and the people living in the least energy-efficient homes also often suffering most from reduced household income.

“This scheme shows that even in tough times, councils can make a difference to people’s lives, and our partnership with GoWarm means thousands of people can look forward to living in warmer homes, leading to lower fuel bills, more disposal income and better health.

“We are grateful to Eggborough Power Station for backing our strategy to significantly reduce carbon emissions by targeting those areas most in need of support.”

The project should now cut the borough’s carbon emissions by around 110,000 tonnes, and is being funded by Eggborough Power Ltd, via the Government-backed Community Energy saving Programme which helps households in areas of low income to improve energy efficiency standards and reduce fuel bills.

Endeavour Housing tenants are some of the individuals set to benefit from the scheme. Barrie Westbrook from Endeavour Housing said: “Endeavour is delighted to be working in partnership with Community Energy Solutions to provide tenants with warmer more efficient homes.

“The well-being of our tenants is our highest priority, and we hope that our work with CES will help them stay warm, whilst keeping their energy bills to a minimum.”

Not all homes in Parkfield will automatically qualify, but those who don’t can still apply for heavily subsidies energy efficiency measures, including cavity wall and loft insulation, as well as free energy efficiency and benefits advice from GoWarm’s teams of experienced assessors.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .