Folkstone and Hythe Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)
Folkestone and Hythe District Council appointed Aran to deliver a proportion of their first SHDF award, and subsequent Wave 2.1award
The properties included within the project to date comprise of a purpose-built block of 16 units and a further 60 street properties.
Project Goals
• Improve the fabric of the homes
• Support decarbonisation of heating
• Reduce the risk condensation, mould, and damp issues
• Improve Ventilation
• Reduce the risk of fuel poverty
Desired Project Outcomes
• Lower CO2 emissions
• Improve homes to an EPC rating of a C
• Reduce Fuel Poverty
CHALLENGES
Resident engagement in all homes proved to be challenging with several residents initially refusing contact. However following support from FHDC RLO we have been successful in engaging the residents to date. With 10 homes within the programme requiring planning permission for external works there were delays but these were kept to a minimum with properties being programmed for later in the project delivery.
THE UPGRADES
Aran applied varying measures to the homes in this programme of improvements to date including:
• Loft Insulation
• External Wall Insulation
• Internal Wall Insulation
• Cavity Wall Insulation
• Flat Roof Insulation
• Air Source Heat Pumps
• High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
• Glazing (Doors and Windows)
• Solar PV
• Internal Wall Insulation
Project Outcomes
This phase one project at completion sees 60 homes receiving whole house upgrades and Ross House, a purpose-built block of 16 units received external wall insulation, underfloor insulation and loft insulation installed by Aran and our approved subcontractor network. Residents will be more comfortable over the coming winter and beyond with many benefitting further from reductions in fuel bills from the installation of Solar PV.
Ross House is the council’s first ‘net zero’ enabled residential block. Retrofit work at this site included externally insulating and rendering the building, insulating the loft and under floor voids, installing photovoltaic panels on the roof and adding more energy efficient air source heat pumps. The block of 16 apartments has also been redecorated and had replacement kitchens fitted.
What's happening now?
Having been awarded SHDF wave 2 funding we continue to deliver grant funded works with Folkestone and Hythe, a further 80 homes will receive fabric improvement upgrades during the spring of 2024.
Aran Insulation have worked collaboratively and effectively with the council to deliver the PAS2035 Assessments, designs and installations for the social housing decarbonisation fund wave
1. In particular Aran worked with the independent Retrofit Coordinator to identify and deliver the right measures in a timely and responsive manner. Additionally, Aran worked well with our tenants, mobilised quickly once measures were agreed, and stepped up to alleviate potential delays to the extent that an additional portfolio of homes were awarded to Aran. We have been delighted with the work of the company and their efforts to ensure KPIs have been achieved.
Gill Butler - Chief Officer, Housing