Installers appointed in £167,000 deal

Qualified installers from eight local businesses are about to start work on major energy saving upgrades worth more than £167,000 at 14 homes in Bicester.
It’s part of the Bicester Green Deal project which is kick-starting a new, Government-backed energy saving scheme in the town. The eight firms, all located in or near Cherwell, are among the first in the country to be appointed.
The nationwide Green Deal scheme, launched in January, offers a new way to pay for home improvements that cut power and gas bills. It lets households pay for some or all of these improvements over time through the electricity bill.
But in Bicester the 14 homes selected for upgrades will have their improvements installed for free. In return they have agreed to demonstrate their upgrades to other townspeople. That will happen during an ‘Open House’ event early in June.
These 14 lucky households were chosen by the three organisations running the Bicester Green Deal project – Cherwell District Council, sustainability charity BioRegional and not-for-profit company Green Deal Together.
Cllr Nigel Morris ,the council’s lead member for clean and green, said: “In the current economic climate every penny counts. So it’s great that through this innovative scheme, which sets out to save people money on their bills, we’re also able to give the local economy a boost by employing local businesses to carry out the work.
“With work now set to begin on providing these environmentally-friendly demonstration packages, we hope these will be the first of many installations which will continue to generate financial benefits to local residents and businesses alike.”
Before having a Green Deal installation, households have to have an assessment which recommends ways to make their homes more energy efficient. As part of Bicester Green Deal, 100 homes in the town are receiving free assessments which would usually cost around £100.
So far nearly 80 assessments have been completed, and the 14 homes receiving Green Deal upgrades have been chosen from these. They will receive a combination of energy saving measures including solar PV panels, energy efficient boilers and wall and loft insulation. The eight firms doing the work were chosen through a tendering process.
Plans are also progressing to undertake energy saving improvements at a select number of businesses in the town centre. These will also have the work completed for free and act as energy saving demonstrators for other local businesses.
The Bicester Green Deal project, backed by £282,000 of government funding with Cherwell District Council putting in the same amount, is part of the council’s pioneering Eco Bicester programme. It is hoped this will lead to further local jobs being created in green technologies such as solar panels and wall insulation.

Work on all 14 properties is expected to be completed by the end of May. Then there will be an Open House weekend across 1 and 2 June when members of the public will be able to visit the homes and speak with the householders about their experience. Full details about this event will be released nearer the time.

For media enquiries please contact:
Tony Ecclestone
Phone: 01295 227942
Email: tony.ecclestone@cherwell-dc.gov.uk

The eight businesses who have been appointed to undertake the work are (cost of work in brackets):
JMC £14,947
Plumbing & Gas Solutions £12,255
Next Generation £44,227
Gas Tech £13,374
Town & Country £20,980
Banbury Windows £11,641
RMD Builders £29,600
TEEC £20,271

Total £167,297

Under the Green Deal, repayments should be no more than what a typical household should save in its energy costs as a result of the improvements.

BioRegional is an entrepreneurial charity which establishes sustainable businesses and works with partners around the world to demonstrate that a sustainable future can be easy, attractive and affordable. See www.bioregional.com

Green Deal Together is a community interest company which is being set up by a group of local councils, including Cherwell, to act as an accredited Green Deal Provider using local installers. For more information visit www.greendealtogether.org.uk

For more information on Eco Bicester and the Bicester Green Deal, visit www.ecobicester.org.uk

Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow.

“Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow. We’ve got a great location, excellent business networks and access to high quality investment opportunities.”

2016-09-24T12:44:28+01:00

“Bicester is becoming a hot bed for new and existing businesses that want to grow. We’ve got a great location, excellent business networks and access to high quality investment opportunities.”

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-is-becoming-a-hot-bed-for-new-and-existing-businesses-that-want-to-grow/

Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military

"Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military to both understand and contribute towards the development and Bicester Town"

2016-12-06T14:46:03+00:00

"Membership of Bicester Vision has provided the best possible conduit for the military to both understand and contribute towards the development and Bicester Town"

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/membership-bicester-vision-provided-best-possible-conduit-military/

Being a member enables us to build a close understanding of the needs of local businesses

“Chiltern Railways provides fast, frequent train services from Bicester North station and the newly opened Bicester Village station to London, Birmingham, Oxford and key locations in between. Being a member of Bicester Vision enables us to build a close understanding of the needs of local businesses and helps us to shape our future growth strategy.”

Stephen Barker, Chiltern Railways

2016-12-07T09:04:34+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/member-enables-us-build-close-understanding-needs-local-businesses/

We have a profound interest in the progress of the Town

“The Bicester Chamber of Commerce and Bicester Vision have a profound interest in the progress of the Town and understand that in some circumstances the continual increase in the numbers of houses and businesses will cause disquiet, to individuals and existing business alike. Change is always with us, and both the “Chamber” and “Vision” endeavour to keep the standards from the past while facing, and working, with the challenges of the future.”

Peter Cox, Chairman of Bicester Chamber

2016-12-07T09:07:17+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-chamber-commerce-bicester-vision-profound-interest-progress-town/

The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation

"The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation and this supports a key commitment within our Local Plan to deliver employment in line with housing. As a designated Garden Town, Bicester is expanding at the pace so it is essential to attract the inward investment and businesses who will be vital to this success. Through our membership with Bicester Vision, we can work with partners and existing businesses to access to additional channels, resources and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our goal as a district of opportunity and employment."

Karen Curtin, Commercial Director (Bicester) , Cherwell District Council

2016-12-07T09:10:34+00:00

"The primary objective for Bicester Vision is to provide opportunities for job creation and this supports a key commitment within our Local Plan to deliver employment in line with housing. As a designated Garden Town, Bicester is expanding at the pace so it is essential to attract the inward investment and businesses who will be vital to this success. Through our membership with Bicester Vision, we can work with partners and existing businesses to access to additional channels, resources and innovative ideas to help us to achieve our goal as a district of opportunity and employment."Karen Curtin, Commercial Director (Bicester) , Cherwell District Council

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/primary-objective-bicester-vision-provide-opportunities-job-creation/

The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester

"The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester. Essential to that is the close working across all tiers of government and the private sector to enable all Bicester businesses to prosper and create job opportunities for the community. The Council has been a founding member and has seen the work of the partnership play an active role in shaping a flourishing Bicester."

Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager , Oxfordshire County Council

2016-12-07T09:30:32+00:00

"The County Council is a key partner in delivering infrastructure for housing and employment growth in Bicester. Essential to that is the close working across all tiers of government and the private sector to enable all Bicester businesses to prosper and create job opportunities for the community. The Council has been a founding member and has seen the work of the partnership play an active role in shaping a flourishing Bicester."Lisa Michelson, Locality Manager , Oxfordshire County Council

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/county-council-key-partner-delivering-infrastructure-housing-employment-growth-bicester/

Bicester Town Council has been part of Bicester Vision since its inception

"Bicester Town Council has been part of Bicester Vision since its inception and are pleased to be able to work alongside the business community and all tiers of local government to make Bicester the ‘go to’ place for business opportunity."

Sue Mackrell, Bicester Town Council

2016-12-07T09:44:43+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-town-council-part-bicester-vision-since-inception/

Through our work with Bicester Vision we are able identify the development needs of the town

“Ziran Land and its predecessor Stockdale Land has found that working closely with the business community of Bicester has enabled us to successfully develop Pioneer Square Shopping Centre and now to develop Franklin House, which was completed in 2016. The growth of Bicester enables us, through our work with Bicester Vision, to identify the business, retail and leisure development needs of the town and to work closely with the business community to provide these.”

John Liggins, Managing Director, Ziran Land Limited

2016-12-07T09:47:00+00:00

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/work-bicester-vision-able-identify-development-needs-town/

Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate

"Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate. We have recently worked with Lisa Rawlings at Banbury and Bicester College as being an industry partner for Bicester Technology studio school and supporting them on the curriculum, equipment specification, and funding. As well as facilitating other 3rd Party Logistics firms like DHL to be involved, Solar panel contact via the Low Carbon Hub to support on the building design for sustainable construction."

Steve Thornton, Director UK Logistics & Supply Chain, BRITA UK

2016-12-07T09:49:31+00:00

"Bicester Vision is an effective way for interested parties to collaborate. We have recently worked with Lisa Rawlings at Banbury and Bicester College as being an industry partner for Bicester Technology studio school and supporting them on the curriculum, equipment specification, and funding. As well as facilitating other 3rd Party Logistics firms like DHL to be involved, Solar panel contact via the Low Carbon Hub to support on the building design for sustainable construction."Steve Thornton, Director UK Logistics & Supply Chain, BRITA UK

https://www.bicestervision.co.uk/testimonials/bicester-vision-effective-way-interested-parties-collaborate/