Dutch Eco Initiative Halves Energy Bills In First UK Homes

A Dutch approach to transforming old homes through a dramatic green makeover has arrived in the UK and cut tenants’ energy bills in half. Nottingham has become the first city council to pioneer the “Energiesprong” (energy leap) initiative, which has radically upgraded the energy efficiency of thousands of homes in the Netherlands. More than 150 social housing homes in Nottingham will receive new wall cladding, windows and solar panels after the local authority won £5m from the EU’s European Regional Development Fund. Some tenants in homes already refurbished in a pilot scheme have seen monthly energy bills drop from about £120 to £60-£70. Read more on the Guardian website.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2019/jan/07/dutch-eco-homes-idea-arrives-in-uk-and-cuts-energy-bills-in-half-nottingham-energiesprong

Nottinghamshire Has Almost 9,000 EMPTY Homes

Almost 9,000 homes across Nottinghamshire are currently empty or derelict, new figures have revealed. The statistics, obtained through Freedom of Information requests to eight district councils, show that 8,982 properties are unoccupied across the county. Some homes are mid-sale or being marketed for either sale or rent, others are in probate, a few are being converted or awaiting demolition and planning consent and others are between tenants and changes of ownership. Nottingham City has the most empty properties, with 1,443 currently without tenants, whereas the Ashfield district has the least with 712. Read more on the Nottingham Post website.