Westward residents to benefit from Torridge Community Regeneration Partnership success
Westward Housing Group is delighted to have been awarded a £1.5 million grant to improve the energy efficiency and environmental impact of more than 100 local homes through a partnership with Torridge District Council.
The decarbonisation funding comes through Torridge District Council which has been awarded £20.7 million in capital investment. The funds will support a number of projects in the Community Regeneration Partnership Scheme to benefit local residents.
Westward will use the £1.5 million for decarbonisation and energy performance (EPC) improvements on 113 homes in Torridge. This funding will make all the difference for these homes which have E or F ratings that can now be upgraded to a C or above. Measures may include insulation, higher specification windows and doors, heating systems and other changes to make homes warmer and more affordable to heat.
Westward is working to ensure that all customers’ homes achieve an EPC rating of C by 2030. Westward made the commitment through its sustainability strategy for a decarbonisation programme which has included a range of home energy improvement measures.
Projects by other organisations to deliver lasting benefits to the people of Torridge will also be funded as part of the Community Regeneration Partnership Scheme. The diverse projects include manufacturing and engineering facilities, Bideford Panier Market investment and a range of water quality improvement measures.
This was made possible by the Torridge Place Board, which Westward’s Chief Executive, Stephen Lodge, is a member of along with 19 others from local businesses and services. They work to improve the long-term economic opportunities for the region and deliver positive environmental and health benefits to people living in Torridge.
Stephen Lodge, Westward’s chief executive, said:
“I am thrilled that this funding gives us the opportunity to help make life a bit more affordable for these customers. At Westward, we are delighted for the 113 households who will experience warmer homes that are cheaper to heat and more enjoyable to live in as a result of this partnership working.
“It is my ambition that the money we save through this grant funding will free up further funds for Westward to invest in homes in Torridge and the region.”
The Torridge Place Board will work with Westward to agree how the funds are invested in home improvements which must be spent by 31 March 2027.
Westward is working to identify further funding streams for energy improvements as part of a raft of measures to improve the thermal comfort and energy bills of our customers’ homes, which also helps us to meet our environmental targets for