Riverside picks WPS for £72m retrofit programme

The Wates Group company will bring the EPC ratings of more than 3,000 homes across the North West and London up to a B or C rating, having already played a part in a similar project for the housing association in the capital.

Riverside’s £72m retrofit programme will see homes in Liverpool, Carlisle, Halton, Carlisle, Middleton, and Enfield get new cavity wall insulation, solar panels, double glazing, and new doors, among other measures.

It is hoped WPS’s work will help tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions, and create opportunities for local employment and community engagement, Riverside said.

The initiative is backed by £36m from the government’s Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, which Riverside is match funding.

Work is expected to begin early next month.

Ian Gregg, chief property officer at Riverside, said the scheme is the next step towards the RP’s target of  making all of its homes energy efficient by 2030.

“These improvements will make thousands of properties warmer, more comfortable and more affordable to live in – helping to lower energy bills and reduce fuel poverty,” he said.

“We’ve seen first-hand the positive impact of retrofit works through previous programmes, and we’re proud to be building on that success and scaling up our efforts to reach even more households.”

WPS and Riverside worked together on an earlier retrofit programme, which saw 1,000 homes upgraded. WPS delivered the London portion of that project.

David Morgan, executive managing director at WPS, added: “Our teams are committed to delivering high-quality, energy-efficient upgrades that will help residents to thrive in their homes.

“This work is not just about improving homes – warmer homes that are cheaper to heat drive better economic and health outcomes for residents, while reducing the impact of homes on the planet, so we’re proud to support Riverside on the journey to net-zero and through the energy transition.”