Herefordshire Council leads the way again: new money for mobile homes

Families and couples living in mobile homes could soon lock out the cold and help save the environment thanks to new grants from Herefordshire Council.

 

Up to £5,000 is available for one-off “energy efficiency measures” aimed at transforming the caravan-style homes into cosy, warm and cost-effective places of living.

 

Herefordshire has more than 550 mobile homes at 14 different sites around the county including Hereford, Leominster, Bromyard and Ross-on-Wye.

 

Under the scheme, run by Herefordshire Council’s Strategic Housing Department, new solar panels can be installed and wall insulation provided.

 

An interest free loan grant of up to £2,000 is also available through a scheme called “Take the LEAD” (Loans, Energy, Advice and Discounts).

 

The new scheme will help Herefordshire Council meet government targets over home energy consumption. The authority wants to achieve a 30 per cent reduction by 2011.

 

But money is limited and applications for grants and loans will be judged on an individual basis.

 

Harry and Irene Adams, of Lynton Park, Bromyard, moved into their new home five years ago to enjoy a quiet retirement in the peaceful countryside at Bromyard.

 

Mr Adams said: “We noticed a difference in the warmth of our new home compared to a bricks and mortar house. It was colder and drafty.”

 

Using the interest free loan they insulated the walls and fitted a gas condensing boiler as well as new radiator.

 

“The work has already made a difference to the warmth of the property, and we have also noticed a reduction in noise from outside,” Mr Adams added.

 

Dennis and Rita Lerigo, of Faire Oaks Park, Hereford, received a grant to install a solar panel.

Mr Lerigo said: “The panel provides us with between half and three-quarters of our hot water. We really don’t have to do anything. There is still plenty of hot water even on a cloudy day, which is great.”

 

Herefordshire Council’s Cabinet Member (Social Care Adults and Health) Cllr Olwyn Barnett, said: “Mobile homes are notoriously difficult to heat and need a large amount of fossil fuel to provide warmth and are therefore some of the worst polluters in the housing sector in terms of the amount of fuel they need and energy they consume.

 

“It’s good to see Hereford leading the way in technologies such as solar hot water which will reduce pollution levels.

 

“Herefordshire Council takes environmental issues very seriously and we are committed to finding alternatives which reduces the impact on the environment.”

 

For more details freephone (0800) 512012.