Haringey Council embarks on a pivotal journey to enhance the energy efficiency of its 15,000 council homes, starting with the Coldfall area.
- The consultation phase with Coldfall residents marks the initial step in the strategic energy action plan aimed to retrofit homes with insulation and double glazing.
- This initiative seeks to upgrade homes built in the 1920s, aiming for a minimum energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2026.
- Backed by a £1.7m grant, the scheme ambitiously plans for a net zero carbon borough by 2041, reducing energy bills and improving living conditions.
- Haringey’s strategic collaboration with ECD Architects and Baily Garner highlights the council’s commitment to sustainable development.
The London Borough of Haringey has embarked on an ambitious initiative aimed at transforming the energy efficiency profile of its sizable public housing stock. A community consultation has begun in the Coldfall area, intended to usher in significant energy-saving measures for approximately 200 properties, focusing initially on the installation of vital home improvements such as insulation and double glazing.
The properties in question, historically constructed in the early 1920s with solid walls, are at the forefront of the council’s wider strategy. This strategy aims to systematically retrofit all 15,000 council homes by 2026. The overall objective is not merely to enhance comfort but to elevate these properties from their current energy performance certificate (EPC) ratings of D and below, to at least a C rating, thereby aligning with the council’s overarching mission to transition towards a net zero carbon borough by 2041.
To support these efforts, the council has secured a substantial £1.7 million grant from the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero’s social housing decarbonisation fund. This financial backing underpins the project’s viability and demonstrates a robust commitment from national structures to local sustainability initiatives.
Contractors are expected to be appointed in the autumn to commence the physical transformation of these homes. The council’s engagement with experienced consultants, including ECD Architects and Baily Garner, signals a clear strategic direction and commitment to long-term environmental goals.
In a statement reflective of the council’s priorities, Councillor Sarah Williams, Haringey’s cabinet member for housing and planning, highlighted the dual potential of the scheme. She noted that it offers not only a reduction in energy bills but also significant improvements in residents’ quality of life, addressing both economic and social dimensions of sustainability.
Haringey’s initiative represents a significant step towards sustainable living, optimising energy efficiency while enhancing residents’ quality of life.
