The Summerfield Eco-village Partnership

The Summerfield Eco-village Partnership is the winner of the Public Sector category of The National Energy Efficiency Awards 2008. The prestigious Awards ceremony, held on 2nd December at the Globe Theatre in London, showcased the innovative energy efficiency work of 42 finalists across the Award's 10 categories.

Family Housing Association (Birmingham) Ltd received the award in recognition for their £2.3 million Eco Village project in the Summerfield area of the city, working in partnership with Birmingham City Council, Urban Living, New World Solar and local residents. Largest renewable technology retrofit project in the UK.

The Eco Village project evolved when local residents became concerned about their rising fuel bills and desire to tackle climate change a local level. Between February 2007 to March 2008, solar panels, super insulation, energy efficient heating and lighting were fitted completely free of charge to 329 owner occupier homes to help reduce fuel poverty for people on low incomes. It is estimated that the eco installations will deliver 60% of each household's hot water per annum and significantly reduce fuel bills. The project also created a number of employment opportunities for local residents.

Eco office & six eco homes Part of Summerfield church hall has been transformed into an eco office, which is now also a community facility for local people and 6 houses in multiple occupation have been converted from flats into much needed large family eco show homes, demonstrating what can be achieved when modernising older Victorian Homes. The first of the de-conversions achieved an Eco Homes "excellent" rating and the subsequent 5 homes have achieved code 3 and code 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes.

What the judges said

"A fantastic partnership approach, with a high number of innovative communication methods. A worthy winner"