An insulation scheme that has changed the face of tenement buildings in Dundee has won an environmental award.
The programme a combined enterprise between Dundee City Council, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), Turner Housing and Alesecco UK received the insulation and fabric installer of the year award that highlighted its “high standard of quality workmanship”.
John Alexander, convener of the city council’s neighbourhood services, received the trophy yesterday in front of some of the revamped buildings on Arklay Terrace.
He said: “This trophy gives national recognition to a scheme that has been popular with householders for the amount of money and energy it has saved them.
“The external wall insulation programme has not only brought with it financial benefits to residents, it has also improved the local environment.
“I have even been approached by people in different areas letting me know how happy they are with the way the contractor completed the work with the minimum amount of disruption.
“It is my firm commitment that the council will continue to do all it can to make sure that the people of Dundee have energy-efficient homes they can afford to heat.”
The external insulation has been added to more than 600 houses in the city and residents have reported reductions in their energy bills as a result of the work.
Judges for the energy and retrofit awards said: “This award recognised the efforts of fully-qualified insulation or building fabric installers that provide excellent customer service, and demonstrate a high standard of quality workmanship or best practice within their local community.”
The project was funded by the Scottish Government and SSE and was provided at no cost to the tenants or homeowners.
There was, however, some concern among tenants and homeowners, who remained unconvinced with the new look the insulation provided for the buildings.
Several of the tenement blocks have not undergone the insulation process, meaning that the fronts of some of the buildings look different to the ones that have.
Nick Day, chairman of Dundee Civic Trust, previously said it looked “strange” that some of the tenements have had work while others have not.