Decision details

To accept a grant offer from the Heat Networks Delivery Unit (HNDU) of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) for the next stage of feasibility assessment in relation to the potential for heat network provision in Cheltenham, in the sum of £83,333.33 and applicant match funding of £26,666.67 (including a funding contribution of £23,000 from Gloucestershire County Council).

Following an initial zoning project which has identified two potential locations for Heat Networks in Cheltenham, a successful bid was made to BEIS for support with the next stage of feasibility work. We have also secured a commitment from Gloucestershire County Council to provide match funding support, leaving a residual balance for CBC to fund of around £5,000.

Heat networks offer the potential to provide a source of heating for commercial and residential properties with a much lower carbon footprint than continued use of alternatives which are reliant on burning gas, which is a fossil fuel.

The council’s adopted ‘Climate Emergency Action Plan: Pathway to Net Zero’ sets an early ambition to ‘Explore the viability of a shared low carbon heat network, to help reduce borough wide emissions.’

This project and proposed decision are consistent with this stated ambition.

Refusal of grant offer – this was rejected on the basis that it would not allow the feasibility of a heat network or networks in Cheltenham to be more fully explored. Heat networks have the potential to reduce carbon emissions in connection with the heating of both commercial and residential properties, as well as providing greater local resilience in relation to heating provision.

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