Exciting plans to create a green retrofit revolution in St Ives by improving energy efficiency in 200 social housing properties in the town have taken a big step forward after LiveWest signed its Town Deal Funding Agreement.

The multi-million-pound LiveWest Low Carbon Retrofit project is the last of nine St Ives Town Deal projects to sign its contract. The project has been awarded £866,800 from the government’s Town Deal programme.

St Ives Town Deal Board, in partnership with Cornwall Council, successfully bid for a Town Deal worth £19.9-million to support a range of projects that will contribute to the town’s regeneration and boost the local economy.

The project involves carrying out an ambitious energy-efficient retrofitting programme in 200 individual properties in St Ives, creating greener homes which are cheaper and warmer to live in. St Ives is the first area in Cornwall to have such a large-scale whole house retrofit programme.

Andrew Baragwanath, chair of the Town Deal Board, said: “We are delighted that the funding agreement has been signed. This will enable LiveWest to build on the work which has already taken place to deliver their plans to improve the energy efficiency of these properties. 

Louis Gardner, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for economy, said: “This an exciting landmark for St Ives Town Deal Board, its residents and Cornwall Council, with nearly £20 million of Town Deal projects all signed up and underway. 

“200 homes to be retrofitted with energy efficiency will bring financial reassurance and comfort to many more residents while also supporting our drive for a sustainable Cornwall.”

The largest social landlord in the Southwest, LiveWest owns over 40,000 properties and supports around 80,000 customers from Bristol down to West Cornwall and the Scilly Isles.

Energy efficiency works include improving insulation, providing new windows and doors, installing solar panels and upgrading heating and hot water systems to improve the thermal efficiency of the buildings, and reduce drafts, heat loss, and the reliance on carbon-based heating systems.

The project team will also be working with residents to integrate sustainable transport and waste & recycling improvements into estates in the town, and help to develop local green skills and employment opportunities.

Glynnis Poole, director of investment & sustainability at LiveWest, said: “We are committed to creating a clean and sustainable future for our customers and colleagues.

“Being included in the Town Deal programme enabled us to unlock more than £600,000 of Government funding and other investment last year. This then allowed work to begin on the first phase of the project ahead of confirming our £860,000 Town Deal grant.

“Formal signing is another key milestone in our project, and we are really excited that the next phase of energy efficiency works is being undertaken in St Ives. Having already undertaken the first retrofit of 65 properties last year, we are soon to start work on the next phase of over 100 properties.

“Through combining St Ives Towns Fund, LiveWest investment and Government retrofit funding we are driving ahead with making St Ives one of the most energy efficient towns in Cornwall.”

Nine projects in St Ives have been approved to share £19.9million from the UK Government’s Town Deal. These include plans to create a low carbon transport system, support local business and jobs, and develop new skills and supply chains, as well as provide new and transformed housing and community assets.

All nine projects – St Ives Community Orchard and Nature Reserve, Leach Pottery, St Ives Guildhall renewal, Housing and Rugby Club relocation, St Ives Enterprise Grants scheme, St Ives Theatre refurbishment, the St Ives Community Land Trust Old Vicarage Flats renovation, the Low Carbon Transport scheme and LiveWest’s Low Carbon Retrofit programme - have now agreed contracts with the St Ives Town Deal Fund and Cornwall Council.

The St Ives Community Orchard and Nature Reserve project was completed earlier this year, with the new building officially opened in April.

To find out more about St Ives Town Deal at www.stivestowndeal.org.uk