Retrofit provides major energy efficiency boost for tenants

Leytonstone’s Southfield Court – a 1970s four storey hostel with 40 flats – recently completed a state-of-the-art retrofit with the help of Aston Group, resulting in a major energy efficiency upgrade. Interim tests indicate Southfield Court will provide:

• An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of B.
• Up to 60% less energy use, saving 74.5 tonnes of carbon emissions per annum.
• Estimated to save over £17,000 per annum on the council’s energy bills.

Southfield Court was identified for a full retrofit in 2021. The property averaged an EPC rating of D and required multiple building and fabric upgrades, such as the roof, windows, doors and structural work. Aston Group were appointed as the primary contractor, building on our experience and past learnings having previously worked on Waltham Forest's award-winning retrofit Eco Show Home at 47 Greenleaf Road.

Works started in 2022, however as most flats were fully occupied a plan was developed for a steel structure to be erected above the roof so that the new roof insulation, air-source heat pump and solar photovoltaic (PV) panels could be installed with minimum disruption to the residents. Other energy efficient measures included upgrading insulation, lighting, ventilation, and external wall insulation (EWI).

The residents feel safer after new windows, doors and sprinkler system having been installed and they are warmer, thanks to new insulation measures too. They have also benefitted from the extra energy that is provided by the solar PV panels. Residents have also felt a noticeable difference in temperature of the building thanks to the air source heat pump and better ventilation to compliment the system.

Working together, we ensured the finished project would not just provide sustainable solutions but fit for purpose, with fire safety, building ventilation and long-term resident welfare being carefully considered.

Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Regeneration, said “Southfield Court was an ambitious and collaborative project that transformed a four storey, 40-flat hostel into sustainable housing where residents are now proud to live. It’s vital that all homes across the borough become more energy efficient. Reducing our carbon emissions from homes will also help us future proof our properties and move closer to our net zero carbon ambitions.

“While it may seem like an insurmountable task, there are always steps we can take to reduce our carbon emissions and the effects of climate change. With residents help and co-operation, we are taking a step closer to achieving our climate emergency objectives whilst reducing our impact on the planet for future generations to come.”

The project was supported by funding from the Carbon Offset Fund, which facilitated mechanical updates, supplemented by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF Wave 1) and the Council's capital expenditure – this culminated in investment nearing £4 million.

Waltham Forest Council is tackling the climate emergency head on, and through Mission Waltham Forest we aim to “lead the way for a net-zero borough.” This means taking decisive steps as a council to significantly reduce their own carbon emissions by 2030 and paving the way towards net zero emissions. With housing in Waltham Forest accounting for more than 50 per cent of local carbon emissions, retrofitting and additional efficiency measures are vital in driving down the borough’s carbon footprint.