Facelift see high rises in Brighton & Hove 'future-proofed'

Residents in Brighton & Hove City Council tower blocks have reported lower heating bills after an impressive revamp was uncovered.

Despite one of the longest periods of cold weather for decades, residents have reported lower heating bills after the council insulated two blocks in Kemptown as part of a £1.9 million modernisation programme.

Modernisation work on 18-storey Wiltshire House and 16-storey Somerset Point has seen both become the first local authority blocks that are digital TV ready with one central aerial serving all residents. This removes the need for multiple unsightly aerials.

At least 100 millimetres of eco-friendly Rockwool insulation has been installed to improve the heat retention of the blocks and that has been covered with waterproofing and self-coloured rendering. This also saves on maintenance costs.

The refit also sees the blocks easily cater for when boilers are replaced with more efficient models as additional flue outlets have been built in to the blocks.

Councillor Maria Caulfield, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Not only do these tower blocks look great but they are future proofed so that all residents share one central digital TV aerial. This ‘future-proofing’ focus is at the centre of our housing repairs and maintenance programme across the city and this will see costs fall for both tenants and the local authority.”

Deirdre Toon, a resident of Wiltshire House for 13 years, said: “The block looks lovely and I have noticed straight away that my flat is much warmer.”

A rolling programme of over-cladding and rendering of tower blocks is ongoing across the city with work on at least eight blocks due to start in the next two years.