News / Bristol city leap
New retrofit scheme sets to benefit Bristol communities
Residents in Henbury, Brentry, Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston are set to benefit from a new £25m Warm Homes Retrofit programme, running from April 2025 to March 2028.
The initiative aims to retrofit up to 1,000 homes, focusing on council-owned social housing and low-income, owner-occupied properties, by improving energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions, and cutting household energy bills.
Delivered in partnership with Bristol City Leap and part-funded by the government’s Warm Homes Social Housing Fund, the programme marks the city’s first neighbourhood-based retrofit strategy. It will take a ward-by-ward approach to maximise impact and value for money.
Residents in Henbury, Brentry, Avonmouth and Lawrence Weston are set to benefit from a new £25m Warm Homes Retrofit programme
Energy efficiency measures will include insulation, solar panels, LED lighting, and the installation of heat pumps. Additional grant support will be available for low-income households through the Warm Homes Local Grant Scheme, with the goal of tackling fuel poverty and supporting Bristol’s broader climate targets.
Bristol City Leap, a £1bn public-private energy partnership and 20-year agreement, is aimed at cutting the city’s carbon emissions.
Launched in 2023, the scheme is being promoted as a model for other cities aiming for net zero, and brings together Bristol City Council, Ameresco and Vattenfall Heat UK.
Mark Apsey, senior vice president at Ameresco, said: “Heating and powering our homes has become increasingly costly amidst the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, particularly during winter. This challenge is especially pronounced in buildings with poor insulation and outdated heating systems.
“That is why we are collaborating with Bristol City Council to prioritise retrofitting across the city. This initiative will not only lower energy bills but also ensure homes are warmer, healthier, and more sustainable.”
Bristol City Council has reaffirmed its commitment to “supporting those most affected by the climate emergency”.
Bristol City Leap, a £1bn public-private energy partnership and 20-year agreement, is aimed at cutting the city’s carbon emissions
Councillor Barry Parsons, chair of the homes and housing delivery committee, commented:
“A place-based programme of this scale is a brilliant example of Bristol’s innovative approach to meeting climate goals, while delivering warmer homes and lower energy bills for residents. It’s set to bring significant investment into the city and improve the lives of many.
Although the funding was less than originally hoped—due to high national demand—this still represents a major opportunity to address fuel poverty and improve the most energy-inefficient homes.”
All photos: Bristol City Leap
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