Retrofit needs to be targeted to produce the best results for residents

Working with older properties requires a different approach to sustainability. There are constraints around structure, ventilation and installation that need to be carefully managed.

At Burneside, this meant assessing a range of retrofit options and selecting measures that were suitable for the properties while remaining deliverable within the scope of the funding.

“Each improvement contributes to the long-term performance and sustainability of the buildings, supporting their continued use while helping to keep homes affordable to run”

The homes at Burneside received a package of energy efficiency measures designed to improve overall performance. These included external wall insulation, solar panels, new doors and windows and the installation of ventilation as part of a whole-house ventilation strategy.

At Burneside, the upgrades were focused on making a practical difference to how the homes perform and how they feel to live in. The measures we introduced were chosen to improve energy efficiency, increase comfort and help reduce energy demand for tenants.

Each improvement contributes to the long-term performance and sustainability of the buildings, supporting their continued use while helping to keep homes affordable to run. At a time when energy costs remain a concern, this work is about ensuring existing homes are warmer, more resilient and better suited to the needs of the people living in them.

Alongside energy efficiency improvements, social value formed an important part of the Burneside project. We carried out several improvements to the communal garden area, including the installation of benches, fencing and a washing line for tenants.

The communal garden was re-landscaped and fenced off to create a safer, more usable space for tenants. This has particular benefits for families and contributes to a stronger sense of shared space within the community.

While these works were not directly related to energy performance, they formed part of a wider approach to improving quality of life for tenants alongside sustainability improvements.

“We recently announced a £5.85m investment in improving the energy efficiency of homes across our stock under the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund Wave 3”

The homes at Burneside have provided housing for nearly a century and it is important that we continue to invest in them, so they remain good-quality homes for future generations. Improving energy efficiency is a key part of that long-term stewardship.

The experience at Burneside has reinforced the importance of targeting investment carefully and focusing on measures that deliver real benefits for tenants.

Retrofit projects like this demonstrate that sustainability in housing is not only about new homes or future standards. It is also about improving existing stock in a practical, deliverable way, ensuring homes remain affordable, comfortable and fit for the long term.

Looking ahead to future retrofit projects, we recently announced a £5.85m investment in improving the energy efficiency of homes across our stock under the Warm Homes Social Housing Fund Wave 3, which we successfully bid for via the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Strategic Partner consortium.

This work is continuing our focus on improving the performance of existing properties, particularly those with an EPC rating below C, where targeted intervention can make a meaningful difference for tenants.

Alex Forman, environmental sustainability manager, Progress Housing Group