AN ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ number of applications has been received for a scheme to make homes more efficient and carbon friendly.

A report prepared for Carlisle City Council tonight reveals that the Green Homes Grant scheme has proven to be a success in Cumbria, reaching its target.

The scheme offers financial support for residents who want to make their homes more efficient and reduce carbon emissions as well as their impact on the environment.

Funds offered by the local authority in each area can be used to install air and ground source heat pumps as well as biomass boilers and draught proofing.

A report prepared for council by the city’s economy, enterprise and housing portfolio holder Marilyn Bowman reads: “Due to an unprecedented number of applications for the Green Homes Grant Scheme in Cumbria, the scheme has now reached its target. Eon will inform applicants whether they have been accepted onto the scheme and will be progressing their application.”

It is just one round of a wider project to support people in the UK to make their homes more efficient and take part in the march towards net zero carbon.

Eden District Council led a consortium of Cumbrian councils on this phase of the project which is rolled-out across the county.

It was revealed in February that Eden will see the highest rise in energy costs during the cost of living crisis.

Eden District Council's Housing and Health Portfolio Holder Judith Derbyshire said: "It's something the council has been working on for quite a while, a lot of properties in rural areas you can't do cavity wall insulation and the rural properties tend to be off gas."

She said that the Green Homes Grant is just one of the options available to local authorities who want to mitigate the impact of soaring energy bills on their residents.

READ MORE: Households in Eden to see highest cost of energy rise in mainland England

Residents of Cumbria who met the criteria for the grants but did not make an application can apply for the upcoming round of Sustainable Warmth Grants which will be available in Carlisle.

 

The city council is leading on the Sustainable Warmth Grants and is taking expressions of interest for the £20 million Sustainable Warmth Scheme which is aimed at low-income owner-occupied and privately tenanted homes.

When funds were submitted for Cumbria’s bid, city council officer Jeremy Hewitson told councillors that the scheme is to “address fuel poverty, to improve energy efficiency and to improve carbon savings.”