Energy-efficiency improvements will help B3 Living tenants tackle cost of living crisis

Tenants living in 260 homes run by the Hoddesdon-based housing association B3 Living are to benefit from a series of energyefficient improvements.

The housing association was one of four organisations in Hertfordshire who joined forces to bid for money from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.

Having been awarded money, they will now be able to make around £40million worth of improvements to their housing stock, benefitting 1,500 properties between them.

The others involved in the consortium were housing associations Settle and Watford Community Housing as well as Dacorum Borough Council, based in Hemel Hempstead in the west of the county.

The organisations pledged a total of £25million between them towards the work, with the government’s fund adding another £14million.

The work to be carried out will include loft insulation, external wall insulation, draught proofing, installation of PV panels and low energy lighting.

Steve Woodcock, chief executive of B3 Living, said: “Securing this funding is excellent news, not just for the 260 B3 Living families who will benefit, but also for thousands of residents across Hertfordshire.

“This is a significant level of investment for us and couldn’t come at a more important

Tiny Forest planted at St James’ Park in Bishop’s Stortford

Developer Countryside has joined forces with the local community in Bishop’s Stortford to launch a Tiny Forests initiative at its St James’ Park development. Tiny Forests is a programme run by environmental charity Earthwatch Europe, which works with communities and partners to plant and maintain dense and fast-growing native woodlands, to reconnect people with nature and raise awareness of climate change.

Around 100 local people, including councillors and schoolchildren, gathered on Tuesday 21st March to mark the launch of Bishop’s Stortford’s new Tiny Forest.

The woodland, which is around the size of a tennis court, will comprise a variety of 17 native tree species, providing a na-

Networking group for property professionals to meet every month

A networking group for property industry professionals has been set up in Hertford.

moment, when we urgently need to lower our customers’ cost of living and take bigger steps to protect our environment.” l B3 Living provides 5,200 homes primarily in the borough of Broxbourne for people who cannot afford the private market. The association also plans to deliver 600 new homes over the next three years. Find out more at b3living.org.uk.

The Hertfordshire Property Network has been designed to bring together individuals and businesses from across the county to talk about all things property in a non-sales pitch environment. Attendees include developers, financers, investors, estate agents, land agents and people keen to learn about the industry.

The group meets at The Practitioner in Fore Street, Hertford on the first Tuesday of each month –the next event is on Tuesday 2nd May at 7pm and tickets can be booked at Eventbrite.co.uk (just search for Hertfordshire Property Network). Attendance is free.

Housebuilder Durkan launches community fund for local groups

Leading regional housebuilder Durkan, which has several developments in Hertfordshire including Granary and Chapel in Hertford, has launched a new community fund which is offering financial support to those delivering work or specific projects that benefit their local communities in the county.

ture-rich accessible green space for local people. Situated next to the planned new primary and secondary school site at St James’ Park, it is hoped the Tiny Forest will also provide an inspiring outdoor classroom for local schools and a space for members of Grove Cottage, the home of Bishop’s Stortford Mencap, and the wider community to enjoy. To find out more about the development visit st-jamespark.com.

The fund, which is now open for applications, is part of Durkan Homes’ ongoing commitment to support local charities, organisations and not-for-profit groups in Herts.

Bill Beyzade, managing director of housebuilding at Durkan Homes, said: “We’re doing lots of work in Hertfordshire and are really proud of the support we’ve given so far to charities and schools in the county. We recognise that, as a Hertford- shire-based business, we play an important role in shaping local communities and want to evolve how we support them beyond our core activity of providing new high-quality homes.” Representatives of groups wanting to know more about the eligibility criteria for the fund and how to apply should visit durkan.co.uk, where details of the company’s current developments can also be found.