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£6m Energy Efficiency Scheme Extended in Stockton

Hundreds more homes inStocktoncould soon see their energy bills cut by up to £750 a year and also benefit from a whole host of energy efficiency measures, thanks to the extension of a £6m scheme in the town.

The GoWarm Parkfield initiative, which is running in partnership between Boldon-based fuel poverty specialist GoWarm and Stockton Borough Council, has already carried out improvements worth £3.9m at more than 400 homes inStockton’s Parkfield and Town Centre wards.

And now an additional 500 houses are set to become part of the initiative, with plans to extend the scheme into theMill LaneandNewtownareas of the town.

This second phase, worth more than £2m, is set to launch in the next two weeks and will see the properties receiving a package of energy efficient measures, which could include external wall or cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, boiler replacements, new heating systems and controls and draught proofing – which could lead to energy savings of up to £750 a year.

The GoWarm Parkfield project, which is expected to cut the borough’s carbon emissions by around 180,000 tonnes overall, is being funded by North Yorkshire-based Eggborough Power Ltd via the Government-backed Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), which targets households in areas of low income to improve energy efficiency standards and reduce fuel bills.

Karen Hindhaugh, Director of GoWarm said: “After the success of Phase One we’re delighted to be able to grow this scheme and give hundreds more householders the opportunity to benefit from what it offers.”

The Director also warned householders in the new area about signing up with other companies who might try and offer them some of the measures.

“While there are many companies offering various energy efficiency measures, such as cavity wall and loft insulation, the GoWarm Parkfield initiative is specifically designed to provide homeowners with a package of multiple measures for free,” she said.

“Due to the strict funding conditions, anyone who signs up to have measures installed by companies outside the scheme, may no longer be eligible and so might miss out on getting the complete package if they get some of the work done elsewhere. We would recommend that householders make sure they speak to us first before signing up with anyone else.”

Properties in Mill Lane and Newtown will begin receiving letters about the GoWarm Parkfield scheme in the next two weeks, with GoWarm surveyors taking to the streets after that, to asses each household’s eligibility and offer free energy efficiency and benefits advice.

Two open meetings will also be held to offer more information, withMill Laneresidents being invited to gather at the Arc,Dovecot Streetfrom 3.30pm to 4.30pm on Monday, May 21 andNewtownresidents being invited to the Newtown Community Resource Centre,Durham Roadbetween 3.30pm and 4.30pm on Thursday, May 21.

Councillor David Rose, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: “The GoWarm Parkfield scheme has already improved more than 400 properties in the Parkfield and Town Centre wards, with residents reporting significant reductions in their fuel bills and improvements in the warmth and comfort of their homes. We are delighted to be working with GoWarm to extend the scheme and offer these benefits to residents inMill LaneandNewtown.”

Households in Mill Lane and Newtown that don’t automatically qualify for the GoWarm Parkfield scheme can still apply for heavily subsidised energy efficiency measures, including cavity wall and loft insulation, as well as free energy efficiency and benefits advice from GoWarm’s team of experienced assessors.

For more information visit www.gowarm.org.uk, call 01642 605130 or visit the GoWarm Parkfield office at Blue Post Yard, Stockton or search for GoWarm Parkfield on Facebook and Twitter.

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