Cutting carbon from buildings in Wyre Forest
Our own buildings
Case study: Green Street Depot 2020 Refurbishment Project.
The Depot 2020 project saw Wyre Forest District Council carry out the major refurbishment and restoration of one of our main sites, the operational services depot in Green Street, Kidderminster. The site is home to frontline teams, including our waste fleet, parks and street cleaning services and, following the refurbishment, our customer contact centre, which opened in September 2019.
The project involved demolishing an impractical, outdated, energy inefficient office building fronting Green Street and completely refurbishing and bringing two locally listed buildings – a former pumping station and sewerage treatment apparatus — back into full use as a new customer advice centre and offices, enhancing the whole Depot site which forms part of a designated Conservation Area. The refurbishment included upgrading of insulation, replacement efficient heating and control systems and grading of all lighting to LED with new controls to save energy when area aren’t occupied.
Business and Community Buildings
Schemes to help Wyre Forest businesses to reduce their energy use and carbon emissions are run through Worcestershire County Council and the North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration team help to promote these to local businesses. These include energy surveys and assessments, a carbon management portal and funding towards energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. For details of the current schemes available, see Support for Businesses | Worcestershire County Council
Wyre Forest Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and community organisations can register for the Worcestershire Solar Together scheme. This is a collective buying scheme for solar panels and battery storage, which is also open to homeowners. Participants need to own the building’s roof, or have the explicit permission of the owner.
Advice and support on ‘greening’ community buildings such as village halls is available through Community First
Homeowners and Tenants
Wyre Forest District Council is an active partner in the Warmer Worcestershire Network, working together to tackle fuel poverty and climate change. The network works together to deliver or share best practice on schemes to support residents with their energy bills or assist with the installation of efficient, low carbon heating, insulation or renewable energy systems.
The schemes are run in accordance with the funding criteria – we work closely with independent energy advice charity Act on Energy and recommend that residents call their free helpline on 0800 988 2881 to find out about the help available.
Our Energy Efficiency page includes details of current schemes, including the Sustainable Warmth and Home Upgrade Grant scheme for which we have successfully been awarded central government funding.