Gosport: Pioneering project gets state funding

A pioneering project in Gosport will receive £1.12 million of Government funding to create more responsible energy solutions that help reduce carbon emissions from housing.

With more than a quarter of Britain’s carbon emissions produced from homes, the announcement is an important step towards meeting the Government’s green policy pledges and Britain’s transition to a low carbon country.

Rowner, a housing renewal scheme in Gosport is among the successful bidders to receive Low Carbon Instrastructure (LCI) funding through the Government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). The funding will be used to link up new or existing homes with low carbon energy plants that are currently operating or through the creation of new plants.

Rowner, will deliver 700 new homes, of which 40 per cent will be affordable, will use £1.12 million to connect new homes to a CHP plant, providing renewable energy to the development.

David Edwards, regional director for the HCA said: “This is exciting news for the Rowner Renewal project and for the South East’s development of environmentally sustainable communities. This is the third major project in the South East in recent months where HCA funding is delivering green infrastructure and major environmental benefits. The grant will clearly assist in the provision of combined heat and power for some of the 700 new homes being built, 40% of which are affordable, and will bring economic and environmental benefits to the region.”

Hazel Warwick, group development director for Portsmouth Housing and spokesperson for the Rowner Renewal Partnership, said: “This is an important and innovative scheme for Gosport and Hampshire and we are delighted to receive the LCI funding to further reduce carbon emissions from housing. Developing a CHP plant as part of the overall Rowner Renewal project will enable the residents to benefit from using renewable energy.”

Housing minister John Healey said: “Homes account for a quarter of carbon emission so reducing this is a major part of our efforts to tackle climate change. By making all new homes zero carbon from 2016 we are already leading the way to a much greener housing stock, and lower energy bills for residents. However, we also have to make existing homes greener, and this funding will help both new and existing developments to access clean energy sources.”

Energy and Climate Change minister Lord Hunt said: “This latest round of funding will make it possible for thousands more people to keep warm in their homes whilst reducing energy bills and carbon emissions. Community heating schemes are an excellent example of how we can work together to tackle climate change.”