Plus Dane starts on retrofit scheme

Plus Dane Group is investing £1.1m in energy efficiency projects in Merseyside aimed at helping its tenants reduce their fuel bills and keep warmer in winter.

Tenants in five Merseyside neighbourhoods will benefit from the measures which will include solid wall insulation and solar panels which, depending on which type fitted, will give access to free day-time electricity or water heating.

The project forms part of the renewables and energy efficiency in community housing initiative, known as REECH, which is managed by Sefton Council.

More than 30 homes in Elaine Street in Toxteth, Liverpool, will be the first to be offered the innovations.

The project will then move to Devonshire Close, Joshua Close and Staffordshire Close in the Everton area of Liverpool, before extending out to parts of Bootle in the city and in Runcorn, Cheshire.

Martin Gladwin, Plus Dane's head of asset management, said: "The energy challenges of the future are immense, with climate change and the likelihood of rising fuel bills having a huge impact on people's lives and livelihoods.

"Plus Dane is committed to investing in our properties to make them all fit for the future and this is the one of the first steps on that journey. Tenants will be offered the work free of charge and should immediately see a big reduction in their annual fuel bills.

"Almost 150 homes will benefit from this work, which is over and above multi-million pound improvements already taking place in Plus Dane homes throughout Merseyside and Cheshire."

REECH is a £14m pilot project funded by the European Regional Development Fund and a number of registered social landlords across Merseyside and Halton.

Plus Dane manages and owns over 12,500 homes across Merseyside and Cheshire.