Net-Zero Neighbourhoods: Everything you need to know and how to register your interest

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We are developing a Net-Zero Neighbourhoods approach to improving energy efficiency in homes and creating greener neighbourhoods. Stay informed about our progress by emailing green.recovery@hounslow.gov.uk to register for updates


What is Net-Zero Neighbourhoods?

Wasting energy is bad for our environment and bad for our pockets too. By making our homes more energy efficient we will reduce the cost to the planet and save us money. It’s a win-win, but making the changes for that to happen can be expensive in the short term, that is where Net-Zero Neighbourhoods can help reduce that initial outlay.

The idea is to look at local areas one by one, and by talking and listening to residents work out how we can make properties more energy efficient, more comfortable and warmer.

By working on such a large scale, the work carried out will be faster and cheaper than it otherwise would be.

Upgrading homes to be more energy efficient is also referred to as retrofit. Improvements can include installing:

  • Insulation
  • Double glazing,
  • Heat pumps, and
  • Solar PV

Improving insulation and glazing can help reduce the energy demand of the home and the installation of heat pumps and Solar PV can provide access to renewable energy sources. An energy efficient and warmer home also means a healthier home with better air quality and well managed humidity levels.

When it comes to designing neighbourhood improvements ,residents take the lead by letting us know what works best for their area. This could include:

  • New infrastructure such as sustainable drainage

  • Planting more trees and coming up with new ways to use green spaces

  • Creating new transport infrastructure such as cycle parking

  • Promoting ideas such as repair cafes and libraries of things

Why are we doing this?

Hounslow Council wants to improve the quality of life of all our residents, and we believe Net-Zero Neighbourhoods will help achieve that goal. It will:

  • Create warmer homes and healthier neighbourhoods.

  • Fulfil our commitment to a greener future by aiming to reach net zero by 2050

  • Make all council homes meet certain energy efficiency standards.

  • Create more green spaces in the borough, to bring cleaner air, better health, and more places for people to enjoy nature in their community.

The Net-Zero Neighbourhoods approach is a response to these commitments and will help us achieve those goals faster

Read more about energy efficiency standards here: Energy Performance Certificate

This will also include ideas of promoting a healthier Hounslow, by encouraging residents to walk, cycle, and use public transport. We can do this by improving pavements and pedestrian areas, by having better cycling routes; as well as providing more reliable public transport at options. This overall approach aims to promote exercise among residents while also improving air quality by reducing carbon emissions.

Lastly, the council is committed to improving our estates, by upgrading homes now, we will ensure they will be fit for the future. Improving neighbourhoods through the Net-Zero Neighbourhood approach, can contribute to easing the cost-of-living pressures by making homes more energy-efficient, leading to reduced energy expenses on average. This will also encourage a significant rise in employment opportunities within the environmental sector by generating green jobs through retrofitting initiatives.


What does this mean for our residents?

Hounslow council approved the start of a feasibility study in 2023 which is work undertaken to determine the viability of the approach and to establish pilot areas. This will lead to an understanding of whether this approach will be the best route to take in achieving the set goals. The study is currently underway and is expected to be completed in summer 2025. The London Borough of Hounslow is progressing with their ambition to bring this approach to the borough, by focusing on using retrofit to kickstart a greener neighbourhood and addressing inequality as well as reduce emissions across the borough. During the process residents will be approached for their input and valued feedback.

This approach can bring a number of positive changes including:

  • Cheaper to run homes

  • Greener streets

  • Renewed pride in communities

  • Improved health benefits

  • Higher living standards

  • Greater community spirit

  • More opportunities




We are developing a Net-Zero Neighbourhoods approach to improving energy efficiency in homes and creating greener neighbourhoods. Stay informed about our progress by emailing green.recovery@hounslow.gov.uk to register for updates


What is Net-Zero Neighbourhoods?

Wasting energy is bad for our environment and bad for our pockets too. By making our homes more energy efficient we will reduce the cost to the planet and save us money. It’s a win-win, but making the changes for that to happen can be expensive in the short term, that is where Net-Zero Neighbourhoods can help reduce that initial outlay.

The idea is to look at local areas one by one, and by talking and listening to residents work out how we can make properties more energy efficient, more comfortable and warmer.

By working on such a large scale, the work carried out will be faster and cheaper than it otherwise would be.

Upgrading homes to be more energy efficient is also referred to as retrofit. Improvements can include installing:

  • Insulation
  • Double glazing,
  • Heat pumps, and
  • Solar PV

Improving insulation and glazing can help reduce the energy demand of the home and the installation of heat pumps and Solar PV can provide access to renewable energy sources. An energy efficient and warmer home also means a healthier home with better air quality and well managed humidity levels.

When it comes to designing neighbourhood improvements ,residents take the lead by letting us know what works best for their area. This could include:

  • New infrastructure such as sustainable drainage

  • Planting more trees and coming up with new ways to use green spaces

  • Creating new transport infrastructure such as cycle parking

  • Promoting ideas such as repair cafes and libraries of things

Why are we doing this?

Hounslow Council wants to improve the quality of life of all our residents, and we believe Net-Zero Neighbourhoods will help achieve that goal. It will:

  • Create warmer homes and healthier neighbourhoods.

  • Fulfil our commitment to a greener future by aiming to reach net zero by 2050

  • Make all council homes meet certain energy efficiency standards.

  • Create more green spaces in the borough, to bring cleaner air, better health, and more places for people to enjoy nature in their community.

The Net-Zero Neighbourhoods approach is a response to these commitments and will help us achieve those goals faster

Read more about energy efficiency standards here: Energy Performance Certificate

This will also include ideas of promoting a healthier Hounslow, by encouraging residents to walk, cycle, and use public transport. We can do this by improving pavements and pedestrian areas, by having better cycling routes; as well as providing more reliable public transport at options. This overall approach aims to promote exercise among residents while also improving air quality by reducing carbon emissions.

Lastly, the council is committed to improving our estates, by upgrading homes now, we will ensure they will be fit for the future. Improving neighbourhoods through the Net-Zero Neighbourhood approach, can contribute to easing the cost-of-living pressures by making homes more energy-efficient, leading to reduced energy expenses on average. This will also encourage a significant rise in employment opportunities within the environmental sector by generating green jobs through retrofitting initiatives.


What does this mean for our residents?

Hounslow council approved the start of a feasibility study in 2023 which is work undertaken to determine the viability of the approach and to establish pilot areas. This will lead to an understanding of whether this approach will be the best route to take in achieving the set goals. The study is currently underway and is expected to be completed in summer 2025. The London Borough of Hounslow is progressing with their ambition to bring this approach to the borough, by focusing on using retrofit to kickstart a greener neighbourhood and addressing inequality as well as reduce emissions across the borough. During the process residents will be approached for their input and valued feedback.

This approach can bring a number of positive changes including:

  • Cheaper to run homes

  • Greener streets

  • Renewed pride in communities

  • Improved health benefits

  • Higher living standards

  • Greater community spirit

  • More opportunities




Page last updated: 24 Jan 2025, 01:47 PM