MINISTER for Natural Resources Carl Sargeant visited Gibbonsdown to meet residents who will be benefitting from a £2m investment from the Welsh Government’s Warm Homes Arbed scheme.

The Gibbonsdown project will concentrate on energy efficiency improvements to 238 properties. The properties are non-traditional modern built houses and will be treated with energy efficiency measures including external wall insulation.

The Welsh Government contributed £2.1m to the Gibbonsdown project, with the Vale of Glamorgan Council contributing £250,000 and additional funding being secured through the Energy Company Obligation.

The Welsh Government’s Warm Homes Arbed scheme, which was established in 2009, aims to eradicate fuel poverty and boost economic development and regeneration in Wales.

Carl Sargeant said: “The rising cost of energy has been a concern for many Welsh households in recent years. We know that the most direct action we can take to reduce peoples’ energy bills is to improve the energy efficiency of their home.

“I am very pleased that Welsh Government Warm Homes Arbed was able to award the Vale of Glamorgan over £2 million for this project, to help residents be more resilient to the costs of heating their homes.

“The Welsh Government Warm Homes is committed to social and economic development as well as the environmental improvements. This means local jobs for local people and opportunities for local companies. It is good to see the Vale of Glamorgan appointing local companies to works on the scheme.”

Leader of the Vale council Neil Moore said: “Fuel poverty is an issue that will blight many lives this winter. It is a sad fact that many people are unable to pay the cost of heating their homes during the colder months but one that the Vale of Glamorgan Council is determined to play a role in addressing.

“The funding secured from Welsh Government will be used to provide warmer and more fuel efficient homes for tenants and residents of the western side of the Gibbonsdown estate in Barry. Work to install wall insulation and heating controls, replace boilers, and upgrade draught proofing is now underway and will make a very real difference to the lives of the 230 private and council homes that are set to benefit.”