Wandle Valley low carbon zone (Merton)

The Wandle Valley low carbon zone is 0.3 square km, within the proposed boundary for the Wandle Valley Regional Park. The area has 993 properties - almost entirely residential - and a population of around 2,950.

Local charity Sustainable Merton leads on community engagement and residential retrofit in the zone, working alongside Groundwork’s Green Doctor service. Much work has gone into developing trust and interest with residents in the area. As a result, local LCZ events now regularly attract over 100 people. The Green Doctor service aims to deliver over 800 households by March 2012, with associated carbon savings.

Activities:

• LCZ activity on photovoltaics (in partnership with Solar Century, 10kWp panels are now installed on two of the schools in the zone) is now being developed by the council through a managed fund taking advantage of the Feed-In Tariff. This will deliver more PV in the zone and across the borough.
• A package of measures has been developed for the schools and community buildings in the zone and these are being used effectively as the hub of zone activity. Each of the buildings can access the following mix of support and measures:
  • solar PV panels
  • solar lesson plans
  • experimental kits
  • teacher training
  • an energy efficiency and renewable energy audit
  • installation of carbon saving measures based on audit recommendations
  • ‘carbon footprint’ management software tool to identify opportunities and encourage behaviour change for reduction across water, waste, transport and energy, installation of automatic meter reading
  • pupil engagement software tool to encourage behaviour change at school and at home, and installation of water saving devices with accompanying behaviour change education
• Sustainable Merton is providing £70,000 (equivalent) of volunteer time, Merton Council £130,000 of capital investment and Groundwork £53,000. Six young people have been employed and trained via the Future Job Fund, with another five due to be involved shortly. They are supporting Sustainable Merton to develop and deliver resident and community activity in the zone.
• The planned retrofit project on Merton Priory Homes low rise estate solid walled properties will deliver carbon savings of around 600 tonnes/annum, with investment from an energy supplier partner.
• The project team has also worked in partnership with Cycle Experience to provide residents with the opportunity to try out cycling for free.