More Dundee residents look set to join the thousands who have already benefitted from energy efficiency measures to their homes if a bid for additional cash is successful.

Almost 1,000 homes will share in £5 million of work under Dundee City Council’s programme of external wall insulation in the coming months, with a bid for more Home Energy Efficiency Programme Scotland (HEEPS) money for owner occupied properties also in the pipeline.

John Alexander convener of Dundee City Council’s housing committee, visited external wall insulation work going on at Sandeman Street to see how the current programme is progressing.

He said: “The amount of good feedback we’ve had from our tenants, owner occupiers and social rented sector tenants about the external wall insulation programme so far has been fantastic.

“On previous visits like the one I’ve just made to Sandeman Street I have been invited into people’s homes so that they can show me how warm, comfortable and easy to heat the building now is.

“Residents really do see the long-term benefit of this investment and it’s great to hear first-hand, the benefit it has had in terms of reducing fuel bills and keeping homes warmer.

Kevin Cordell, depute convener of the housing committee, added: “Extensive areas of the city have already benefited from millions of pounds of investment and we’re keen to maintain that momentum and continue to deliver higher quality homes for people in Dundee

“Lower energy bills, warmer and more attractive homes are being created all over the city and I want to make sure that we continue to deliver these.”

A total of 834 tenanted homes will have the cladding fitted this year if councillors back the £5,351,302 project costs. Of that £3,017,682 will come from Dundee City Council with the rest paid for through HEEPS grants.

A further bid for £100,000 to the Scottish Government to help with external wall insulation work on 33 cottages in Mid Craigie could be approved later this month after a submission by the council was made in July.

Meanwhile around 200 sheltered tenants could benefit from refurbished communal facilities if £24,600 worth of work is approved.

A new kitchen in each of Tullideph and Brington sheltered housing complexes are to be considered by councillors next week.

If the tender is approved, the work will be carried out by the council’s environment department construction services division.

In the past decade more than £150m has been spent on kitchen upgrades as part of the council’s successful drive to meet the Scottish Housing Quality Standard.

The housing committee meets on Monday August 24 to discuss the projects.

@DundeeCouncil