Plymouth Community Homes (PCH) residents living in Stoke could save money on their energy bills this winter after a £1.95m refurbishment project was carried out on a block of flats to improve the building’s energy efficiency and overall feel.
PCH secured £270,000 Wave 1 Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) funding as part of the project in partnership with Plymouth City Council for the refurbishment of 24 homes in Alcester Close.
The project which began in August 2022 and completed in September 2024 included replacing windows, alongside ventilation upgrades and drainage improvements. As well as this, external access was improved, and fencing and balcony improvements were made, and new, energy-efficient insulation was installed to the external walls.
The key outcomes of the project were to deliver warm, energy efficient homes, which will reduce energy bills for our residents helping to alleviate fuel poverty where it is being experienced, reduce carbon emissions and improve the overall comfort, health and wellbeing of our residents.
People living in the Stoke flats, including resident Kim, are delighted with the results of the refurbishment in relation to energy efficiency which has been especially noticeable as the weather begins to get colder.
PCH resident Kim, said: “It’s lovely, the refurbishment has made such a difference already and it’s perfect for the winter. I’ve lived here for 26 years, and I believe I am the longest tenant on the estate, so I have seen the changes over the years.
“The changes that have been made can be seen big style, and most importantly the electric and gas bills have gone down which of course is a huge help.
“I am chuffed to bits with the refurbishment, they’ve done a beautiful job, the estate looks much nicer, and I can’t fault it.”
PCH is Plymouth’s largest social housing landlord and provides homes for more than 35,000 people across the city. Through its Environmental Strategy, PCH is committed to reducing its carbon footprint, and is investing in its homes with objectives to achieve net-carbon zero across the business by 2050.
The PCH Asset Management Team worked with Classic Builders (SW) Ltd and Kendall Kingscott who designed and delivered the work.
Martin Cook, Contracts Works Manager at Plymouth Community Homes, said: “I am really pleased with the resident feedback that we have received for this project at Alcester Close, undertaken by Classic Builders. This shows our efforts are appreciated and really do make a positive difference to the lives of our residents.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without the Wave 1 Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund funding which was achieved through the collaboration of the project team both internally at PCH and our external consultants and contractors that worked on the project. Nicola Turvey, Net Zero Delivery Officer at Plymouth City Council was also instrumental in helping us to secure and retain this funding.”
Adam Brimacombe, Director at Classic Builders (SW) Limited said: “Classic Builders (SW) Limited are incredibly proud to have delivered another important scheme for Plymouth Community Homes, in our home city. This demonstrates their ongoing commitment to not only working with local contractors, but also delivering its residents quality and energy efficient properties.”
Councillor Tom Briars-Delve, Cabinet Member at Plymouth City Council for the Environment and Climate Change, said: “We were really pleased to support this important project and ensure that these homes are fit for the future.
“It’s so important that we continue to work in partnership with PCH to ensure that residents are spending less on heating their homes and in the process lower their carbon emissions.”
