Solar panels installed in Birmingham’s ‘Eco-Neighbourhood’
Jon Land, March 23, 2007
source: http://www.24dash.com/socialhousing/18346.htm
Solar panels are being installed at homes in Birmingham, UK as part of a project to promote renewable energy. Houses in Coplow Terrace are some of the first to receive works under the groundbreaking Summerfield Eco-Neighbourhood project. About 250 homes will benefit from renewable energy as part of the project which is supported by Family Housing and Birmingham City Council.
The solar panels will heat hot water and cut down on electricity bills. John Lines, Birmingham City Council’s cabinet member for housing said: “It is great to be able to help make a difference to the lives of residents and at the same time reducing CO2 emissions.
“Birmingham will continue to lead the way in tackling climate change, reducing fuel poverty and working in partnership with Family Housing to continue to make further improvements to housing in the Summerfield area.”
Family’s involvement in the regeneration of Summerfield started back in March 2002, when Birmingham City Council and Sandwell MBC confirmed their intention to become one of the first wave of Housing Market Renewal Pathfinders in the country and formed Urban Living.
Since then, Family has successfully delivered a number of projects in the Urban Living renewal area and been selected by Birmingham City Council as a Preferred Development and Management Partner in their North West Birmingham Housing Market Area.
Summerfield falls within the Ladywood Ward which is within the top 10% of the most deprived wards in the country with higher than average crime rates, unemployment, environmental problems, lower educational attainment and serious health issues.
Family and Birmingham City Council are working to tackle these issues by putting in place intensive neighbourhood management and working with key service providers to ensure that local services are reshaped and targeted to better meet the specific need of local residents.
Over the last twelve months the Summerfield area has received a range of physical and social regeneration improvements led by Family. Working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, local residents and Urban Living, the Summerfield neighbourhood is changing, to a place where people, once again, are choosing to live. There is growing confidence in the area and evidence that the local housing market is starting to recover.