The St Ives retrofit project is a very complex programme which involves carrying out a range of energy efficiency works to 200 social housing properties in the town.
The work, which is being led by LiveWest, will improve the thermal efficiency of the buildings, and reduce drafts, heat loss, and the reliance on carbon based heating systems, creating greener homes which are cheaper and warmer to live in.
The project is also working with residents in the town to integrate sustainable transport and waste & recycling improvements into estates in the town and help to develop local green skills and employment opportunities.
In 2023 the team started work on the programme, investing over £1.2m into the town (including unlocking over £600,000 central government funding) and undertaking works on the first 65 properties in Trewyn Flats, Treverbyn Road and Tregwarry Road.
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Work is progressing well on LiveWest’s ambitious programme that will see more than 300 homes retrofitted in St Ives.
Funding from the Town Deal is supporting energy‑efficiency upgrades in 200 of these properties, alongside significant investment from LiveWest and Central Government.
This collaborative approach has enabled LiveWest to retrofit more homes than originally planned, making St Ives the first – and most comprehensively upgraded – town in its portfolio.
The Town Deal phase of the project is scheduled for completion in April.
Customers will benefit from a range of improvements including enhanced insulation, upgraded ventilation systems, new roofing, solar PV, low‑energy lighting, and selected heating and hot‑water enhancements.
These measures will create warmer homes, supporting lower energy use, and reducing local energy bills by an estimated £61,000 a year. The programme will also cut carbon emissions by more than 120 tonnes annually.
The impact of the Towns Fund investment has been significant, helping to raise housing standards in St Ives and underpinning its transition to a greener, more affordable place to live.
In addition to Town Deal funding (£866k), LiveWest has invested £1.4m and unlocked nearly a £1m of central government funding, demonstrating a combined commitment to delivering long-term environmental and community benefits.
Alongside the retrofit programme, LiveWest is delivering a range of other sustainability initiatives. At Trewartha Flats, it is working with residents to improve recycling rates and are installing a new seagull‑proof waste and recycling centre to help customers better manage their waste.
This intervention was developed in direct response to customer feedback and we have worked with St Ives School to provide two GCSE students with valuable work experience placements.
You can find out more about the project on the LiveWest website: https://www.livewest.co.uk/