Improvement works to industrial units underway

Date published: 23rd June 2023

The Council is undertaking works at the Cornish Way industrial units in North Walsham to improve energy efficiency, cost efficiency and facilitate the Council’s aim to achieve Net Zero.

The improved units will have UPVC windows and doors installed, which will ensure better thermal insulation. LED lights are being installed both internally and externally, which are approximately 90% more efficient than the previous halogen and fluorescent lighting. Roller shutter doors are being installed, which improve insulation and provide better security for the tenants.

The works will ensure that the units, which currently have an energy efficiency rating of E/F, are boosted to at least a D/C rating or higher.

The units were originally assessed with a view to replacing the roof structure for a better-insulated one at an estimated cost of £170,000.

The originally planned works would have incurred a higher carbon impact for material disposal, as well as causing inconvenience to the tenants who would have had to temporarily vacate the premises.

The total cost of the revised works will be completed under the original £170,000 budget without inconvenience to tenants and the underspend allows the Council to invest the remaining funds into other sustainability projects.

Cllr Adam Varley, portfolio holder for Climate Change and Net Zero, commented:

“This is a really positive step for the Council in its mission to achieve Net Zero across all its assets. I am really pleased we have been able to save the taxpayers money whilst improving building efficiency and reducing inconvenience to our tenants. We will be looking to roll out similar schemes elsewhere in the District.”