Climate change action plan - finished projects

Corporate estate projects

Decarbonise electricity supply to corporate estate

All electricity purchased since 1 April 2022 is zero carbon.

Reduce water use in identified council buildings

24 new automated pulse enabled water meters have been installed. They measure water consumption every half hour on larger meters and daily on smaller meters.

Providing real-time water use information, these meters have helped reduce water consumption.

Report on specific projects delivering energy efficiencies in council properties

Project closed in current form. Separate reporting will continue within the action plan.

Feasibility studies - retrofitting the corporate estate

Studies were completed and formed the basis of an initial £1 million capital investment programme launched in 2023 to 2024.

Improving energy efficiency within the corporate estate through decarbonisation scheme

A £1 million capital investment programme was undertaken in 2023 to 2024 to improve the energy efficiency of corporate buildings following the outcome of Atkins' feasibility studies.

The consideration of further retrofit opportunities is now part of normal working practices.

Energy efficiency at home grant projects

Green Homes Grant (Bid 3)

The scheme finished on 31 March 2023.

A grand total of 28 LAD-3 eligible homes received £273,000 worth of retrofitting (energy efficiency) improvements.

One HUG-eligible home received £11.5k worth of retrofitting (energy efficiency) improvements.  

Green homes grant £900,000

99 properties benefited from a total of 123 energy improvement measures.

Estimated £300 annual energy bill savings per household and removal of 118 tonnes of CO2e. 

Green Homes Grant (LAD 2 scheme)

A total of £113,000 was spent upgrading 5 properties with energy efficiency and renewable energy improvements. Three of the properties received more than one measure or intervention.

Warm Homes Grant Scheme

The Warm Homes Grant Scheme converted off-gas properties to on-gas.

101 properties were converted through this scheme.

Energy related projects

Anaerobic digestion plant

Whilst the proposal is sound we are advised to wait for a commercial developer to approve such a scheme providing suitable land were available.

Infrastructure projects

Convert all highway infrastructure to low voltage or LED technology where possible

All underpasses, bollards, directional sign lights and traffic light systems have been converted to low voltage or LED technologies.

Renewable energy concepts on all new builds (CS12 policy)

The CS12 policy related to the council's previous Local Plan. The policy was applied as appropriate but the policy no longer exists as the new Local Plan covers renewable energy requirements.

Parks and countryside projects

Improve water supply and retention to trees in order to reduce impact of warmer summers and droughts

Mulching of planted trees, which helps with water retention, is now part of regular working procedures.

Adapt maintenance programmes for parks and open spaces to changes in the growth patterns of plants

The assessment of areas to be removed from maintenance due to no longer being deemed necessary is now part of normal working practices.

Implement climate change cross-cutting themes in Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP)

Project closed as these are now business as usual activities supported by targets within the Biodiversity Action Plan. 

Encourage public to have more environmentally friendly gardens

Project closed as these are now business as usual activities supported by targets within the Biodiversity Action Plan. 

Avoid peat products and suppliers who use peat

Project closed as these are now business as usual activities. 

Develop and publish a series of circular walks and cycle rides

Created, published and available since May 2022.

Plan for impacts of climate change on species and habitats

This project is closed as this is now a business-as-usual activity supported in the Biodiversity Action Plan.

Planning

Emerging Bracknell Forest Local Plan - flood risk

This is now a business-as-usual activity following the adoption of the new Local Plan in March 2024.

Emerging Bracknell Forest Local Plan - sustainable construction

This is now a business-as-usual activity following the adoption of the new Local Plan in March 2024.

Emerging Bracknell forest Local Plan - SUDS

This is now a business-as-usual activity following the adoption of the new Local Plan in March 2024.

Sustainability Appraisal of the Emerging Bracknell Forest Local Plan

This is now a business-as-usual activity following the adoption of the new Local Plan in March 2024.