Local Authority Delivery scheme improves energy efficiency of 28 park homes in Somerset
Local Authority Delivery scheme improves energy efficiency of 28 park homes in Somerset
South Somerset, Mendip, Sedgemoor and Somerset West and Taunton district councils worked together with the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to secure funding to deliver energy efficiency improvements for park homes across Somerset. Funding was provided by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), through the Local Authority Delivery Scheme (LADS) Phase 1b.
Through engagement with park home site owners, four key park home sites across the county were identified where park homeowners could benefit from the insulation works.
The scheme resulted in 28 park homes receiving fully funded external insulation measures and ventilation enhancement, improving their Energy Performance Certificate rating, making their homes easier to heat and keep warm, which will reduce carbon emissions and their energy bills.
How did people qualify?
To be eligible households had to be below an income threshold or in receipt of benefits. Successful applicants received a retrofit assessment of their park home, to understand the home’s condition, how it is heated and ventilated, and whether there was any evidence of damp or mould. These surveys allowed CSE and Insulated Homes to identify which insulation measures would be most suitable for each park home.
How it was facilitated
CSE provided project management support, as well as retrofit advice, assessment and co-ordination services and worked with the district councils who procured a qualified and experienced installer of insulation measures on park homes – Insulated Homes Ltd.
On completion of works, householders completed an evaluation questionnaire and feedback has been very positive:-
Householder reviews:
“I am very pleased with the work carried out on my home, also the help and politeness I received from everyone I spoke to on the phone and those who came to my home.”
“The workmen were extremely helpful, polite, and reassuring and the work was carried out with good humour. Any minor concerns were dealt with quickly.”
“All work was undertaken by highly experienced insulated homes employees. I’m satisfied with all aspects of the service.”
“Our home takes a fraction of the time to warm now.”
South Somerset Portfolio Holder for Environment Councillor Sarah Dyke said: “We were pleased to be able to take this funding opportunity and work with Somerset local authorities to develop our understanding of the challenges faced by park home residents linked to the condition of their homes. Our collaboration with CSE helped deliver the project to a greater number of residents and to a high quality standard. We are delighted the scheme has helped so many of our local park home residents. The improvements to their homes will not only improve their energy efficiency, but will also help reduce fuel bills, provide a better quality of life and contribute to phasing out high carbon fossil fuel heating. We are committed to delivering our environment strategy and part of this is enabling our communities to reduce carbon emissions.”
Cllr Richard Pinnock, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Governance at Mendip District Council said: “I am delighted that through this funding, we have been able to organise and fund retrofit improvements to park home residents in Mendip to allow them to have a warmer winter. Park homes are one of the most challenging types of homes to keep warm and to improve. They are often lived in by older people on limited income, and at risk of fuel poverty. This project has upgraded the walls, floors and windows of park homes across Somerset to enable the residents to live in healthier more comfortable homes and has received wonderful feedback from those residents who benefitted.
Cllr Dixie Darch, Executive Member for Climate at Somerset West and Taunton, said: “This is a great example of the local authorities working together to raise not only the standard of warmth and comfort for park home residents but to improve the energy efficiency of these homes and reduce their carbon footprint in line with the Somerset Climate Emergency Strategy.
It is also aligns with SWT’s Climate Resilience Action Plan and our corporate priority of putting people and the environment at the heart of what we do to create a low-carbon, clean, green and prosperous district, and a more sustainable future for everyone.”
Today (Friday 3rd December) is Fuel Poverty Awareness day. The Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) is a charity supporting people and organisations across the UK to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes. CSE’s energy advice service helps people to reduce their bills, access benefits and insulate their homes. For advice and support visit https://www.cse.org.uk/advice/advice-and-support or call 0800 082 2234.