Work underway on Warm Up Hartlepool scheme

The scheme, which is operating right across Hartlepool and could see thousands of homes benefit from free measures which will make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat, is a joint initiative between Hartlepool Borough Council, J&J Crump & Sons Ltd and 0800 Repair.

Residents can take advantage of the scheme’s extended qualification criteria to benefit from insulation and heating measures.

Homes in certain postcode areas will automatically qualify, as will those that are in receipt of certain benefits and have an income threshold of less than £32,000 per annum, and those with long-term health conditions which are made worse by cold and damp conditions.

Councillor Jim Lindridge, Vice Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Regeneration Services Committee, said: “This really is great news for residents in Hartlepool. It is the first time that we as a Council have been able to determine where funding should be directed.

“Not being restricted by a very exact set of criteria means that many residents in the borough that may have missed out on previous schemes will be eligible to apply for a range of energy efficiency measures.

“This could include wall insulation, loft insulation, room in the roof insulation and in some cases replacement boilers or new heating systems, and it’s fantastic to now see the work underway.”

Adam Rothwell, who is one of the first residents to benefit, said: “The team from J&J Crump & Sons knocked on my door and explained how the scheme was running in partnership with Hartlepool Borough Council.

“It honestly felt too good to be true at first, but once I realised it could save me hundreds of pounds on my fuel bills every year by having the cavity wall fully insulated I knew it was a scheme worth getting involved with.

“The team from J&J Crump & Sons have been great, from the first contact with them right through to today it has been a straightforward, simple, no-nonsense process. It’s great to now know that my home is going to be warmer in the winter.”

Steve Crump, MD of J&J Crump & Son, said: “We have a lot of experience working with local authorities and utility companies to make sure that as many people as possible can benefit from funding that is available.

“Often it’s difficult to get residents to believe at first that there is no catch and that they really can qualify for free measures.

“We are delighted that installing work on the Warm Up Hartlepool scheme is now underway and would encourage people to get in touch on 01429 697277 to see if they could benefit too.”

Hartlepool residents should now have received letters through their doors which provide more information about the scheme, list the eligibility criteria and also the various ways in which they can apply. For many residents, the energy efficiency measures will be free.

For more information about Warm Up Hartlepool, please visit www.hartlepool.gov.uk/warmuphartlepool