Decarbonisation improvements for park homes

Using government funding, the council has recently completed a project to significantly improve the thermal efficiency of four South Derbyshire park homes, with two more close to completion.

The improvement works took place at Greenacre Park, Coton in the Elms which is a large residential site of circa 60 park home properties which are traditionally energy inefficient and expensive for residents to warm.

Static caravans (often referred to as ‘park homes’) provide permanent homes to thousands of families across the UK. Their construction often means that they provide poor thermal insulation, which can leave their occupiers at risk of health problems due to cold exposure and with very high fuel bills.

The funding secured by the council, through the government’s Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme has provided external wall insulation to the park homes based on expert assessment of the best and most sustainable options.

A total of £2.2m is available under the scheme, which ends in September 2025 and focuses on properties that are not connected the mains gas grid. The council is keen for other South Derbyshire residents to come forward and take advantage of the scheme.

Councillor Gordon Rhind, chair of the council's Housing and Community Services Committee said: “It’s great to see people really feeling the benefits of this work and the scheme.”

“Not only will it significantly reduce occupiers’ energy bills, but the scheme will also help reduce carbon emissions in the district, a quarter of which comes from heating and lighting our houses.”

One of Greenacre Park’s residents who had the insulation improvements endorsed the scheme and said: “We feel very fortunate to have been able to have the grant. The house doesn't have that chilly caravan feel it had before even with the heating up.

“Thank you to everyone for all the hard work in getting us the insulation in our home - It feels a lot cosier now!”

If you are eligible and would like to find out more and apply, please visit: https://www.southderbyshire.gov.uk/our-services/environment/apply-for-a-green-homes-grant.

The improvement works are available for all types of homes, although they must be EPC band D, E, F or G and not connected to mains gas - the primary heating source being solid fuel, oil, electricity or LPG. Other eligibility criteria apply, and the scheme is open to private sector tenants whose landlords own less than five rental properties.

15 January 2024