We are excited to announce the successful completion of a significant retrofit project, as part of the Bristol City Leap initiative, a groundbreaking partnership between Bristol City Council and Ameresco. This ambitious programme aims to help Bristol achieve its decarbonisation targets, and the retrofitting of over 28,000 social housing properties across the city is central to this goal. The Ledbury Road project stands out as a key milestone within this effort, representing a significant leap forward in enhancing the sustainability and comfort of social housing in our community.
The Ledbury Road project focused on addressing the outdated infrastructure of seven social housing blocks, providing essential support to residents, especially during the colder winter months. By employing a range of retrofit tools designed to reduce energy consumption and enhance overall energy efficiency, we are not only improving living conditions but also taking strides toward a more sustainable future for all.
One of the most rewarding parts of our work is the feedback we receive from those we serve. Recently, a resident shared their thoughts with us regarding the work we completed: ‘The recent renovations are a big change that is good for the community, it looked outdated, and now it’s a modern and appealing place.’
After 18 months of dedicated work, we recently celebrated the completion of the retrofit at Ledbury Road, which comprises 81 flats. The culmination of this project was marked by a small gathering in the newly renovated community room, an integral part of our commitment to creating broader benefits for residents beyond just improved energy efficiency. This gathering brought together members of the project delivery team, contractors, and, importantly, the residents themselves, strengthening community ties and celebrating our shared achievements.
The project, with an investment of £8.6 million, has undergone a comprehensive range of upgrades, profoundly transforming the Ledbury flats. We installed new, energy-efficient windows and doors, which not only enhance security but also improve thermal performance. The external walls received insulation, contributing to significant reductions in heat loss. Moreover, a new insulated roof has been added, further enhancing the building’s energy efficiency.
In addition to the major structural improvements, we refurbished the balcony walkways and installed new balustrades and handrails, ensuring safety and comfort for all residents. Ventilation systems, including kitchen and bathroom fans, were upgraded to improve air quality, while emergency lighting was also enhanced for added safety. An innovative installation of automatic opening vents was introduced, providing a crucial safety feature in case of a fire.
Electrical services underwent a significant upgrade with the installation of new containment systems, ensuring that the infrastructure meets modern standards. On the exterior, we refreshed the appearance of the buildings with freshly painted doors and perimeter railings, contributing to an improved aesthetic for the entire community. Social value is a key aspect of all Bristol City Leap projects, and that was no different here with the renovation of the community room and redecorating the stairwells, making these shared spaces more welcoming and functional for residents.
Site Manager for the Ledbury Road retrofit project, Gareth James, shared what he thought the biggest of the now completed works is: ‘There’s been a huge improvement with the insulation as well as the thermal and acoustic values everywhere, so it is now a lot quieter in the flats, very much warmer as well. It changed the whole neighbourhood, they are much more beautiful buildings to look at, and I think all the residents feel better about coming home and walking around and just a general better quality of life.’
The benefits of this project are far-reaching. We expect an improvement in the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores for these flats, which translates to lower energy bills for residents, creating more affordable living conditions. The enhancements will result in warmer homes with improved ventilation, significantly reducing damp issues and promoting a healthier living environment. Furthermore, the overall external appearance of the blocks has been upgraded, making a positive contribution to the neighbourhood.
The Ledbury Road retrofit project not only enhances the living conditions of residents but also sets a precedent for future initiatives in Bristol. We are proud of what has been accomplished here and are excited about the positive impact it will have on the community for years to come. Thank you to everyone who played a part in bringing this vision to life!
If you would like to learn more about our work in domestic retrofit, click here: Domestic – Bristol City Leap
