Introduction
Nottingham Community Housing Association (NCHA) is based in Clifton but operates throughout the East Midlands. Since its formation in 1973, it has grown steadily to the extent that it now supports around 20,000 people across the region. NCHA is an active house-builder and has invested more than £650 million in building or upgrading residential properties. It works with 19 local authorities, building affordable homes and maintaining existing stock. It manages approximately 10,000 homes in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, and Rutland.
This scheme responded to a need to improve the energy efficiency of 102 homes, predominantly in and around Nottingham. The properties were built in the 1920s and featured solid walls, which meant that they did not retain heat as effectively as those with more modern designs. Typically, they achieved an EPC rating of band D. The £1.8m project was procured via the Prosper framework and its objective was to raise EPC ratings to band C or better.
Lacking a cavity, the houses tended to lose much of their heat through their walls. Consequently, it was adjudged that an external wall insulation system was likely to be an effective way of improving energy efficiency. Moreover, the chosen system would also include an exterior render, which would deliver further benefits: it would improve airtightness, it would give effective weatherproof protection, and it would help to improve the overall appearance of the treated properties.
An important consideration for the stakeholder team was that the properties would be occupied for the whole duration of the works, so effective resident communications would be essential.
The Project
In accordance with best practice and the latest PAS standards, the appropriateness of an EWI system was determined by property-by-property retrofit assessments. The system in question was designed and supplied by the Midlands-based Permarock Products and featured 100mm mineral fibre insulation boards together with an attractive weatherproof render.
However, before the EWI system could be installed, planning consent had to be secured, so SBS and Permarock staff played key roles in providing visualisations, colour swatches and material samples to satisfy local planners that the proposed results would be in keeping with the character of the wider neighbourhood. As a result of this work, consent was duly granted and work began on site in June 2025.
Other significant measures included the installation of energy efficient double-glazed windows and composite doors, improvements to the homes’ loft insulation and ventilation systems, and the installation of 2KW to 4KW/P250W solar PV panels.
The stakeholder team maintained effective communications with residents via community engagement events, doorstep-drop leaflets, texts and email, and regular visits by a dedicated resident liaison officer. As a result, operatives encountered few ‘no access’ delays and work progressed smoothly.
Results
Feedback from residents was good. On a weekly basis, site staff circulated tenant satisfaction forms that measured the quality of work, punctuality and the effectiveness of communications. The project team scored highly on all metrics.
The scheme was designed and managed in accordance with PAS 2035, taking a whole-house, fabric-first approach. All insulation work was completed in accordance with the relevant standards – PAS 2030 and the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
Funding
SHDF Wave 2.1
No. of Properties
102
PAS Roles
Principal Contractor / Retrofit EEM Installer
PAS Energy Efficiency Measures (EEM)
External wall insulation / Replacement doors & windows / Solar PV panels / Loft improvements / Ventilation upgrades
Framework
Prosper
Client
