Ahead of Scottish Housing Day on the 15^th September, we welcomed Councillor Mark Rowley to our project in Kelso, Scottish Borders where we are delivering a programme of Scottish Government EES:ABS funded, external wall insulation works to solid wall private properties, in partnership with Scottish Borders Council and Changeworks.

Steven McNellis, Construction Director at A.C. Whyte explained the merits of external wall insulation to Councillor Rowley, explaining that projects such as this are integral to Scotland meeting its net zero targets.

The project, which includes 25 properties within Inchmead Drive and Inchmead Crescent will involve private residents receiving heavily funded energy efficiency measures installed by A.C. Whyte, which will reduce carbon emissions and fuel bills and provide a warmer, more comfortable home for residents and their families. Resident at Inchmead Crescent said:

I’m delighted with the overall look of my home, the coordination of the various stages of works was well organised and smooth throughout. There has been a lot of buzz in our street and I’ll miss it when its gone, its gained a lot of traction. All of the A.C. Whyte team were hardworking, polite and respectful – they were just outstanding. We had a great experience and look forward to the benefits it will bring to our home this winter.

Scottish Housing Day is held to raise awareness of the challenges and successes in the housing sector with a strong focus on housing and climate emergency this year. The Scottish Government have committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2045 and homes across Scotland currently account for 15% of emissions. To achieve this, it will require significant investment and collaboration from all parties involved. Neil Robertson, Energy Efficiency Strategy and Policy Officer at Scottish Borders Council said:

The Energy Efficient Scotland Area Based Scheme is being delivered in Kelso by Scottish Borders Council, Changeworks and AC Whyte, to install External Wall Insulation. These measures are part of the wider aim to provide affordable warmth and reduce energy use for Borders’ households.

Scottish Borders Council have been working with skilled professionals to install external wall insulation that will enable households to keep warmer and reduce the energy required to maintain temperatures within their homes. It’s fantastic to see the scheme nearing completion and was really great to be able show Councillor Mark Rowley (Executive Member for Economic Regeneration and Finance) around the site, talk through the installation process and the benefits the EES:ABS scheme brings to the region.

Neil Hutson, Project Officer at Changeworks also said:

We at Changeworks are delighted to see such great progress at the external wall insulation project in Kelso and are glad that residents will start to feel the benefit of their newly insulated properties as Summer comes to an end.