MK fund enables older homes to improve energy efficiency through subsidies

The Milton Keynes Carbon Offset Fund, which enables older homes to improve their energy efficiency through subsidised loft and cavity wall insulation, has received its first contribution from the Milton Keynes Tariff.

The payment of £79,118 has come from the completion of the new John Lewis distribution centre at Magna Park in the Eastern Expansion Area.

John Lewis, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP), said: 'Up to £3 million of Tariff money will be paid into the Carbon Offset Fund as a result of the development that is planned in the expansion areas and this will help many existing homes to become more energy efficient. Once again Milton Keynes is demonstrating that it is taking a pioneering approach to encourage low carbon living.'

Don Morgan, Planning Director of Gazeley and Land Securities, the developers of Magna Park, said: 'We were the first company to pay the new planning tariff and it is very satisfying to see this money now being put to good use by making some existing homes more energy efficient. Our own buildings are some of the most energy efficient of their kind in the world. As a result of the development of Magna Park the energy use in some older housing units in Milton Keynes will be improved through our contribution to the Carbon Offset Fund.'

In line with MKC planning policy D4 developers pay contributions into the Carbon Offset Fund based on the additional carbon emissions generated by their buildings. The Fund is managed for Milton Keynes Council by the United Sustainable Energy Agency, based at Knowlhill.

Since the Milton Keynes Carbon Offset Fund was introduced in 2008 developers have paid over £400,000 into the Fund. So far this money has been used to insulate around 2,500 existing older private homes, as well as sheltered housing across the city.

Cllr Mike Galloway, Cabinet Member responsible for Growth at Milton Keynes Council, said: 'This is great news for Milton Keynes. The Carbon Offset Fund gives more residents the opportunity to directly benefit from the area’s development. Residents’ homes can benefit from being warmer in winter and cooler in summer.'