Mapping Mendip's Fuel Poverty

19 October 2006

Residents living in parts of Glastonbury, Wells, Frome and Street struggle the most in Mendip when it comes to keeping themselves warm.

Mendip District Council is using the area's fuel poverty statistics to encourage householders to be more energy efficient, to help save money on bills and play a part in reducing the effects of climate change.

The figures have been highlighted at the start of Energy Saving Week (October 23 and 29). They show that a quarter of residents in the Glastonbury St Benedict's, Wells Central, Frome Keyford and Street North wards spend more than 10 per cent of their income on heating bills and so are regarded by the Centre for Sustainable Energy as being in 'fuel poverty'.

Fuel poverty can be linked to issues such as low income, high fuel costs, poor housing insulation or insufficient heating systems.

To try to tackle some of these issues Mendip District Council will launch new planning guidelines with energy efficiency at their heart.

To show its commitment to this issue the council's planning board will officially adopt a Protocol for Sustainable Energy on Wednesday (October 25). The new guidelines will ask developers submitting planning applications to:

• reduce the need for energy through low cost design measures, from using more natural forms of heating and cooling, including solar and shading, to reducing the need to travel, or considering terraces as an energy efficient form of building.

• use energy more efficiently by including more insulation and energy efficient appliances.

• use renewable energy, which can be included in building designs, such as solar water heating and wind energy, through wall mounted and small scale turbines.

Mendip District Council's senior policy officer for community planning, Jo Milling, said: "Applicants will be asked to work through the three key categories and provide information on how they will reduce the need for energy, use energy more efficiently and use renewable energy within their development along with their planning application.

"Most applicants for new buildings will be asked to provide the information, however householder applications, for example extensions, are unlikely to be affected."

Mendip District Council's housing portfolio holder, Cllr John Osman, said: "We all think that driving less and recycling are good ways to improve energy efficiency but many of us should also take a good look at our homes. Many have inadequate insulation or poor heating systems, and it is for this reason that Mendip District Council wants to play its part in helping this issue.

"These new guidelines will provide a good grounding for developers and the public to really start thinking about energy and how they use it. It is so important that we all play a part in being more energy efficient and seeking ways in which we can all help to slow down the devastating effects of climate change."

The culmination of Energy Saving Week will also see the launch of the Mendip Energy Awareness Project, which aims to educate groups and individuals on easy steps to help tackle climate change.

The project, which has been organised by the Mendip Partnership for Energy, will be launched at 10.30am on Friday, October 27, in the Council Chamber at Mendip District Council's offices in Shepton Mallet.

Anyone is welcome to attend the launch by booking a place through Jo Milling or Pam Newsham on 01749 341569 / 341561. The event will provide those attending with presentation materials and leaflets which can be taken back for use by organisations and community groups, as well as games and activities for fairs and fetes.

Last Updated

16 January 2007

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Page last updated on 16 January 2007