Council plans to cut eco homes contribution

A council that pledged £2m for a dozen city eco homes is now looking at ways to significantly reduce its financial contribution.

Peterborough City Council (PCC) allocated the money in 2023 to build energy-efficient homes but says "financial constraints" means it is now looking at alternatives.

It has earmarked development sites suitable for four houses and eight to 10 apartments.

A report being discussed by the council's climate change and environment scrutiny committee on Wednesday has suggested limiting its contribution to between £430,000 and £460,000.

"This approach allows this project to continue but reduce the need to borrow the full £2m previously committed in the capital programme," the report said.

The authority has ruled out scrapping the project, pointing out that building energy-efficient homes is less costly in the long run than retrofitting houses later.

The council is considering working with a delivery partner, such as a local developer, which could work with education providers and other specialists to deliver the scheme.

The project aims to look at the best ways to build eco homes and whether it can demonstrate how sustainable construction improves people's health and wellbeing.

It has already secured a £100,000 grant from One Public Estate, a programme that supports public sector bodies with regeneration, to go towards demolition and site clearance.

The grant requires that a demolition contract is in place by 31 March or that the council makes a conditional agreement with a provider, and the authority has begun discussions with Cross Keys Homes about a potential partnership.

Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.