We live on a former council estate and now face a £66,000 bill so Labour can hit net zero heating targets – councillors are hypocrites and the UK’s become a rip off_Nhy
Despairing families on a former London council estate have warned politicians ‘don’t f****** green me’ and branded them ‘hypocrites’ after being told they may need to cough up as much as £66,000 towards a new eco-friendly heating system.
Residents of the Churchill Gardens and Lillington estates in Pimlico, Westminister are unhappy they have been chosen to bear the costs of a low carbon ‘heat network’ to help the council reach its Net Zero 2030 target.
The £185million scheme would modernise the existing system, which contains 60-year-old pipes, and replace three gas boilers requiring frequent repairs.
It is a project that is expected to cost the owner of a one-bedroom flat £40,000 and could set residents of four-bedroom homes back by as much as £66,000.
But longstanding proprietors and dwellers say they may be forced to move out as a result of the payment and some tenants fear they’ll be ‘screwed’ if their rent increases due to the costs being passed on.
Churchill Gardens in Pimlico. Residents of a former council estate may have to stump up as much as £66,000 to modernise an ailing heating system in order to meet Net Zero targets
Victor Beauvois, 78. Mr Beavois said he had moved to the estate in the 1960s and agreed with Mr Wyatt, adding that ‘the UK’s become a rip off’
The estate pump house. The £185million scheme would modernise the existing system, which contains 60-year-old pipes, and replace three gas boilers requiring frequent repairs
Along with 3,000 homes, the current heating system supplies a library and schools.
Council officials report that replacing the ageing pipes would cost £183million, but have discarded this plan due to them being ‘difficult to reach’ and as they say this wouldn’t reduce emissions.
But some residents MailOnline went out to speak to said they disagreed there was no alternative.
One man who had lived on the estate for 30 years said: ‘The system might need changing but the point is we shouldn’t have to pay for it.
‘They’re planning the big overhaul for 2027/2028 but we’re fighting them because it’s a vanity project.
‘I hate hypocrites. They (councillors) all go in a f****** plane so don’t green me. Don’t f****** green me.
‘They think us leaseholders are cashpoints, that’s all I’m going to say.’
The opinionated resident had not yet conceded defeat to the council and insisted people living on the estate would ‘fight’ the authority against the decision.
Churchill Gardens in Pimlico. Residents are unhappy they have been chosen to bear the costs of a low carbon ‘heat network’ to help the council reach its Net Zero 2030 target
Pimlico district neighborhood area. The Labour council insists that replacement of the heating system is a must due to ‘continuous leaks and disruption on the estate’
He added: ‘We’re hoping they’re not going to win anyway – we’re already onto them.’
Friends Victor Beauvois and John Wyatt – both 78 years old and the latter a former Conservative councillor – had grown up on the estate together.
Mr Wyatt, a lessee, and resident of the estate since 1958 said: ‘They impose on me a new heating system and there’s a bill of £40,000.
‘We’re even looking at having to sell up and move away. And there’ll be hundreds of us doing that – but what option have you got?’
Mr Wyatt added his late friend’s mother who he had ‘just taken out for tea’ and who is 89 years old would get charged £66,000 if the council went ahead with the plan.
He also questioned why households couldn’t be permitted to install their own individual heating system, claiming this would use 1/3 of the energy due to individual households turning it off while they were away or not in need of it.
John Wyatt aged 78. Mr Wyatt, a lessee, and resident of the estate since 1958 said: ‘They impose on me a new heating system and there’s a bill of £40,000’
Childhood friend Mr Beavois said he had moved to the estate in the 1960s and agreed with Mr Wyatt, adding that ‘the UK’s become a rip off’.
The Labour council insists that replacement of the heating system is a must due to ‘continuous leaks and disruption on the estate’.
Councillor Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services said: ‘We aim to provide cheap, efficient energy to residents and are working with them to find the best possible solution.
‘The figures stated are early projections and the final proposal will be subject to detailed, design, tender and consultation. Keeping costs down is a priority and we’ll provide as much support as we can.’
Yvonne Staplehurst, 70, said her brother was a lessee and so would be affected by the charges were they to go ahead. She added she had spoken to many people who were ‘very annoyed’.
Churchill Gardens viewed from the balcony. Councillor Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services said: ‘We aim to provide cheap, efficient energy to residents and are working with them to find the best possible solution’
Yvonne Staplehurst, 70. Ms Staplehurst said: ‘I went to the residents’ meeting and heard that service charge went up from 400 pounds to 800 pounds’
Ms Staplehurst said: ‘I went to the residents’ meeting and heard that service charge went up from 400 pounds to 800 pounds.
‘And because they take it through people’s direct debit they just changed it and people didn’t even have notice.
‘People were saying at the meeting that they were just taking it out of their pocket.’
Ms Staplehurst, the owner of dog Barbara Windsor ‘Babs’ suggested it was like ‘theft’.
Although lessees are the ones who would be directly affected by the charge, some tenants worry that the cost may be passed on to them.
Georgia Sands, 33, who has lived in the estate for 15 years and receives benefits said she would be ‘screwed’ if her rent increased.
Ms Sands added: ‘The heating system as it is isn’t too bad.
The entrance to the estate. One alternative plan involving a centralised heat pump in the Thames would reportedly cost £211million
Pimplico. Another possibility dismissed by council bosses due to ‘high energy costs and low carbon savings’ was the installation of individual electric water boilers in homes at an estimated cost between £1,500 and £5,000
‘It’s kind of like if it’s broke don’t fix it but then again the system is kind of the oldest in the world.
‘I don’t understand. If they’re going to re-vamp it all – what does that mean for every single person on this estate?
‘It’s outrageous and ridiculous.’
One alternative plan involving a centralised heat pump in the Thames would reportedly cost £211million.
Another possibility dismissed by council bosses due to ‘high energy costs and low carbon savings’ was the installation of individual electric water boilers in homes at an estimated cost between £1,500 and £5,000.
Proponents of the new network say it will save costs in the long run and that homeowners will benefit from being shielded from spikes in global energy prices.
A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: ‘Our mission is for clean power by 2030 because this is the best way to achieve energy independence and protect billpayers. Heat networks will play an important role in this.
‘Leaseholders concerned about service charges can speak to the Leasehold Advisory Service or their local council for advice and support.
‘We are also looking at greater support for those on heat networks, including capping connection costs and making Ofgem the regulator for the sector.’
