Energy efficient credentials of a newly refurbished block of flats in Huddersfield have seen it shortlisted for a prestigious national housing award.
The year-long £3.7m restoration of the former Richmond Flats on Leeds Road close to Huddersfield town centre saw energy efficient boilers and panel heaters transform the flats and ultimately the lives of their residents. The flats have been renamed Harold Wilson Court.
Combined with LED lighting, triple glazed windows and thermal insulation inside and out, these measures are resulting in much lower energy bills.
Solar panels on the roof added the finishing touches to provide electricity for communal lighting and lifts, so there are no communal utility charges.
Click below for a tour of the flats we created when they were reopened earlier this year.
All these energy rated upgrades have seen the flats revealed as one of four schemes shortlisted for a National Federation of ALMO award for “managing energy efficiency and fuel poverty.” Almo stands for arm’s-length management organisations and many manage council housing.
The NFA represents housing associations nationally, such as Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing, and its awards are given to schemes which help to improve social housing for tenants.
Dalton ward councillor Peter McBride said: “We already knew from tenants that the project has been a great success and one that has made a positive difference to people’s lives, but to have this kind of national recognition is a real bonus and helps confirm that we took the right approach.”
The work to transform Richmond Flats was carried out by Clugston Construction Ltd and designed by Watson Batty architects, working with Kirklees Council and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (KNH).
It involved the complete remodeling of the individual flats as well as major changes to the structure of the 11-storey tower block.
As well as making the flats welcoming, safe and comfortable, helping reduce living costs by improving the flats’ energy efficiency was also a fundamental part of the renovation as the flats had previously been very difficult and expensive to heat.
The winners will be announced during the NFA’s annual conference on July 16.
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