[25
JUN 99] STRATFORD ON AVON DISTRICT COUNCIL PRESS RELEASE
First Village Energy ProjectA south
Warwickshire village is to pioneer a new project aimed at helping local communities save
energy and help the environment. Stratford District Council has selected Bishops
Itchington to take part in SWEEP (South Warwickshire Energy Efficiency Project), which
provides free advice on reducing fuel bills as well as discounts and grants for improving
fuel efficiency.
Bishops Itchington is the first and only village in the
district to be included in the scheme so far, which runs for three years with different
villages being selected for future years. It is expected that over £30,000 will be made
available from government grants that will go towards implementing up to 2,000 individual
home energy improvements in the village.
"The idea behind SWEEP is to help local residents in
the village reduce their fuel bills, improve the comfort of their homes and conserve the
environment," said Alan Savery, director of environmental health and housing at
Stratford District Council.
"One of the key areas of the scheme is to encourage
residents to improve their homes making them less wasteful on fuel and therefore reducing
carbon dioxide emissions. Free advice and information is being provided by Tracy Dexter,
the council's home energy efficiency officer.
"Grants will also be made available, with recommended
skilled contractors carrying out the work, in addition to a package of discounted energy
efficiency measures such as loft insulation, hot water jackets and low energy light bulbs.
"Every home in Bishops Itchington will receive details
of SWEEP through the post, and we will also be holding a number of presentations around
the village to explain the scheme, with the first home improvements starting in the next
month or so."
SWEEP is a joint project led by Stratford District Council
in partnership with Warwick District and Rugby Borough Councils. The scheme was put
forward as a competitive bid for funds from the Energy Savings Trust and was one of around
30 successful schemes out of over 100 submitted from local authorities all over the UK.
MORE INFORMATION:
Mark Lepkowski, press officer on 01789 260104
Tracey Dexter, home energy efficiency officer 01789 260863
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