Cheshire homes to get £2.5m green improvements

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Environment

Work has begun on a £2.5m project which will greatly improve the energy efficiency of 250 homes in Winsford, Cheshire.

The homes, run by Muir Group Housing Association, will have heating systems upgraded as well as cladding added to external walls.

Some of the funding has come from energy companies under the Government’s Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP), and as a result will be done at no cost to Muir Group residents on the Glebe Green estate.

Rebecca Finbow, Environmental Officer with Muir Group, said: “This work will help our residents to save money through lower energy bills while at the same time modernising the look of their homes.

“We have been working with residents to keep them well-informed about the project and ensure there is as little disruption to them as possible.”

The project, which is due to completed by the end of October, has already resulted in two of Muir’s residents finding employment.

Muir Group held an open day with residents to discuss the project and a resident from the neighbourhood, Michelle Billington (pictured above, left, with Rebecca Finbow), has been employed by Warmer Heating Ltd as a Resident Liaison Officer.

Another resident, John Percival, has also gained employment as an apprentice electrician with Warmer Heating Ltd.

Ms Finbow continued: “This will have a long-lasting impact on not only the appearance of the whole neighbourhood but also on the energy efficiency of the homes.

“If residents are aware of how to use their upgraded heating systems in an effective way, because the homes have been re-cladded with insulating materials, they should be able to make savings on their energy bills.

“This is of course great news for the environment but it also has big practical benefits for our residents as they will have lower energy bills and warmer homes.”