Whitebeck gets green seal of approval




Click the images below to see them bigger!
Whitebeck CourtWhitebeck Court's solar panels generate enough energy in a year to run a 32''LCD TV & Sky box for 8 and a half years!

Whitebeck Court's living Sedum roof insulates and encourages wildlife
A bird's eye view showing part of Whitebeck Court's 'green' roof

A flagship retirement housing scheme which saw the transformation of a derelict block of flats has been nominated for a ‘green’ award.

Whitebeck Court was an unloved tower block in Charlestown, north Manchester, which could have been pulled down. But last year, the 16-storey building underwent an £8.9m refurbishment, creating 91 ‘Extra Care’ apartments.

'Extra Care' housing is for older people who want to enjoy life independently, with access to care and support if they need it.

The revamp came after grant funding from the Department of Health. All the flats have been adapted to suit people in wheelchairs and there is a care team on site.

Whitebeck has been nominated for one of Inside Housing magazine's Sustainable Housing Awards. The scheme has made the shortlist in the ‘sustainable larger housing retrofit project of the year’ category.

Whitebeck’s green credentials include:

  • 10kwh solar panels, generating enough energy in 12 months to run a 32” LCD TV and Sky box for 8.5 years – with a carbon saving of 5,816 kg
  • Overcladding to provide a high level of insulation
  • A living Sedum roof which insulates as well as encouraging wildlife

We knew that these things would not be as effective as they could be if we didn't advise tenants on how to make the most of them. That's why we:

  • Handed out energy surveys, energy monitors and water saving kits to residents
  • Specially produced the ‘Green Guide to Your Home’  leaflet for residents. The leaflet covers all appliances – from TVs to thermostats
  • Trained our employees to give advice, with priority given to those in fuel poverty and vulnerable residents, like those in Whitebeck Court.

This work is already bearing fruit. Residents moving to Whitebeck from like-for-like accommodation, as well as those downsizing from family homes, are seeing an astronomical reduction in their energy bills – an average of £31 a month.

Greig Lees, Head of Regeneration, said: "The nomination is testament to the hard work of the partners in making sure Whitebeck Court is truly sustainable.

"We haven't just paid lip service to being green - we've actively engaged our tenants in how to make the most of their new energy efficient homes.

"Whitebeck is a great place to live - we are very proud of what we have achieved here."

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