Tenants to Lead £45K Insulation Scheme After Northwards' Bidding Success

Elliot Simm
Northwards’ Home Improvement Service Manager Elliot Simm co-ordinated the bid



Northwards is putting tenants in the driving seat of a £45k insulation scheme after winning an energy efficiency grant from the Energy Saving Trust.

Tenants in Higher Blackley threw their support behind the Local Energy Assesment Fund (LEAF) bid; the success of which will now see them working with us to transform their homes with external wall insulation.

Recently, we became aware that some tenants in the area had concerns about how difficult their homes are to keep warm. After a review of the properties - 16 bungalows on Finningley Road and Parksway - we discovered it was due to a lack of external insulation.

As such, we submitted a bid to the LEAF, successfully securing £45,665 to carry out the insulation works, which will not only improve the bungalows’ ability to retain heat, but also reduce the tenants’ bills.

Several tenants have now joined the scheme’s ‘delivery team’, to be involved throughout the process, and help make decisions regarding the design and colour of the cladding.

Northwards’ Home Improvement Service Manager Elliot Simm co-ordinated the bid. He said: “It’s fantastic news that we’ve won this funding. A lot of these residents have concerns about the temperature of their homes and the fact that their fuel bills are escalating. Northwards is committed to tackling fuel poverty, but not only that; these properties are earmarked for over 55's, so there are real health benefits to making these homes warmer too.

“We’re currently looking into the best way of delivering the scheme, and we will also be providing qualified energy awareness advice to tenants to help reduce energy use even further.

“This is a great opportunity for the residents to reduce their energy use and also to improve the appearance of the area.”

Northwards tenant Linda Chadwick, of Finningley Road, said: “I go to bed in thick socks and a dressing gown as well as using an electric blanket. The cost of heating is massive and I have to leave the heating on 24/7 during cold spells so it’s brilliant that we can do this scheme.”

The scheme is to be completed by 31 March 2012.

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