The council has been granted £545,502 through West Midlands Combined Authority’s Net Zero Neighbourhood Fund for Graiseley Low Carbon Energy Accelerator Pilot (LEAP).
This phase is for data gathering within a small cluster of streets in Graiseley, while some eligible properties will be offered energy advice, retrofit assessments and supported with low cost energy saving improvements.
Following this stage, and subject to additional funding, further measures will be explored for a potential roll out of upgrades to properties from 2026 onwards.
The pilot neighbourhood includes Lime Street, Fisher Street, Bristol Street, Manlove Street, Cardiff Street and Bingley Street, and sections of Lea Road, Owen Road, Burleigh Road, Norfolk Road, and Merridale Street West.
It will involve working with residents and businesses to investigate how measures such as home energy improvements, smart energy systems, active travel, community events and better green spaces can improve lives.
A series of public events will be held for people within the neighbourhood to get involved, which will be advertised in the coming weeks.
The findings of the pilot will lead to a model that can benefit the whole city – helping cut energy bills, make energy supplies more resilient and create green jobs.
Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “I am delighted we have secured this funding and am excited to see the opportunities and benefits it can bring, and the lessons we can learn as part of our collaborative, city-wide Our Net Zero City 2041 efforts with communities and technical advisors.
“We want residents and businesses to be well informed and empowered to take climate action that can make a positive difference to their lives, and they will be at the centre of making this project a success.”
City of Wolverhampton Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing, Councillor Steve Evans, said: “Helping create neighbourhoods with more energy efficient homes, reducing fuel poverty for vulnerable residents is very important to us.
“The data gathering phase of this trailblazing project will allow us to see how measures such as better insulation or rooftop solar panels and heat pumps could make a big difference to lives.”
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, Cabinet Member for Adults and Wellbeing at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “Looking at how we can make improvements to create better insulated, warmer properties that are cheaper to heat can have a positive effect on health reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses.
“Creating greener more welcoming spaces through more tree planting and pocket parks is also known to boost wellbeing and happiness.”
Anyone struggling in the cost of living crisis can find advice via Cost of Living Support.
