Council tenants in Stratton and Highworth are set to benefit from warmer, greener homes as part of a £6.5m programme to improve energy efficiency across council-owned properties.
Swindon Borough Council will carry out a ‘whole house retrofit’ programme over the next three financial years, upgrading 104 homes with poor energy performance ratings. Rather than tackling issues individually, the approach considers each property as a whole to deliver longer-lasting improvements.
The work follows a ‘fabric-first’ model, meaning insulation, ventilation, airtightness and heating systems are planned together. This reduces the risk of unintended issues such as damp and ensures the improvements work effectively as a package.
Funding for the programme includes £882,000 from the Government’s Warm Homes Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), alongside approximately £5.7m from the Council’s Housing Revenue Account. This ring-fenced budget is funded by tenant rent and can only be used to maintain and improve council homes.
Improvements will vary by property but may include external wall insulation, new roofs, replacement windows and doors, solar panels and essential structural repairs. Once complete, homes currently rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band E are expected to reach at least Band C.
Property consultants McBains have been appointed to carry out retrofit assessments, structural surveys, design work and planning to support the programme.
The new scheme sits alongside the Council’s existing £30m, five-year energy efficiency programme, which is already upgrading hundreds of council homes across the borough.
Councillor Janine Howarth, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
“I’m delighted that the Council has secured government funding to help extend the reach of our home energy efficiency improvements to over 100 properties in Stratton and Highworth.
“I’ve spoken to tenants in other areas who’ve already benefited from new roofs, windows, doors and solar panels, and they really appreciate how much cheaper and easier it is to keep their homes warm.”
Councillor Emma Bushell, Deputy Leader of Swindon Borough Council and Ambassador for the Greener Swindon mission, added:
“Up to 75 per cent of a building’s energy can be lost through walls, roofs, floors, windows and doors. That’s why we’re investing in measures that significantly improve energy performance.
“It’s a win-win for tenants and the environment, helping to cut bills while reducing carbon emissions.”
