Bristol City Leap, a joint venture between Bristol City Council and Ameresco, is delighted to announce the launch of a groundbreaking £25 million retrofit project aimed at significantly improving energy efficiency within social housing in areas of North Bristol. This pivotal initiative marks a vital step in the city’s commitment to decarbonisation and creating a healthier living environment for all residents.
As Bristol’s first large-scale implementation of an area-based approach to housing retrofit, this project will see the Bristol City Leap conduct retrofitting efficiently, targeting specific areas and streets with tailored design, therefore enhancing benefits for residents while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
Councillor Barry Parsons, Chair of the Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said, “This retrofit programme is about improving the lives of our residents. By investing £25 million into upgrading homes across North Bristol, we’re creating warmer, healthier and more comfortable places for families to live. These improvements will help reduce energy bills, tackle fuel poverty and give households greater long term financial stability. At the same time, the project supports local jobs, strengthens our communities and contributes to a cleaner, greener, more resilient Bristol for everyone – as we work towards our goal of becoming carbon neutral.”
Transforming social housing for a sustainable future
This retrofit project, which will be implemented until March 2028, is set to upgrade homes in Henbury, Brentry, Avonmouth, and Lawrence Weston.
By retrofitting existing properties to achieve a minimum Energy Performance Certificate or “EPC” rating of C, the programme aims to deliver warmer, cosier and more energy-efficient homes that directly benefit social housing tenants. EPC is the rating measurement of a building’s energy efficiency.
Key Measures Include:
- External and cavity wall insulation
- Window glazing and external door upgrades
- Enhanced ventilation systems
- Installation of solar PV and energy-efficient heat pumps
- Loft, roof, and floor insulation improvements
- Upgrades to energy-efficient lighting
The comprehensive area-based retrofit programme is designed to offer a range of significant benefits that will positively impact both tenants and the community. Firstly, the initiative aims to create warmer homes while simultaneously reducing energy costs for residents, making living more affordable. Additionally, by lowering carbon emissions, the project supports Bristol’s ambitious journey towards achieving carbon neutrality, ensuring a more sustainable future for the city.
Addressing fuel poverty is a key aspect of this initiative, with a goal of enhancing living standards for many residents. The programme also prioritises local engagement, fostering job creation and boosting social value through the involvement of local supply chains. Lastly, the retrofit efforts are set to improve the energy efficiency rating of council’s social housing, reinforcing the commitment to providing quality living conditions for all.
“This housing retrofit project is a significant milestone in our mission to create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Bristol,” said Alexandra Coleman, Senior Vice President at Ameresco UK. “Through our innovative area-based approach, we are set to invest in our communities and enhance the quality of life for social housing tenants while contributing to the city’s decarbonisation goals.”
To learn more about our retrofit work in social housing click here.
This project is funded by The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. This funding is managed by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority and delivered by the South West Net Zero Hub.
