Across 2023 and 2024, Synergize has delivered £2.5 million worth of retrofit works to improve the environmental impact of social housing in Gloucester. Working closely with Gloucester City Council, Synergize deployed it’s specialist division Synzero to undertake the project. Through developing a clear and robust process Synzero ensured to meet industry-leading standards of efficiency in delivery and performed the complete retrofit works across three blocks of housing, from survey to final certification.
The works at Gloucester were funded by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, and Synzero was careful to ensure continuing value for money to GCC in delivering such a large publicly-funded project. Synzero employed a team of four retrofitting experts to survey and assess the properties, to a standard compliant with PAS 2035—ensuring the identification and management of technical risks, while protecting homes and residents from undue consequences.
With the surveying finished, Synzero set about drafting a plan of works in collaboration with GCC to bring each dwelling to an EPC rating of C or above in the most efficient way possible. Synzero focused on delivering long-term cost-saving pieces of design, to provide long-term return on investment to the council, and assure residents of a consistent high-quality result.
Understanding that resident needs are at the heart of every housing programme, Synzero organised tenant engagement meetings, where residents of the affected blocks could meet with representatives from Synzero and the council, ask questions, and receive information about the forthcoming works. This built confidence of the local community in the project, and empowered residents to take a stake in the decisions surrounding their own homes.
This buy-in from residents was doubly important given that several flats within the blocks were occupied by leaseholders. By engaging with them early and ensuring their informed consent to the plan of works, Synzero was able to deliver a consistent scheme of works across the whole housing stock. The work of Synzero’s specialist resident liaison and client engagement staff was vital in bringing these homeowners onside to make an informed and positive decision.
Across the course of the following year, Synzero’s team of specialist, qualified operatives proceeded to fit out a range of decarbonisation measures across the occupied buildings, using the latest in surveying technology—including thermal imaging and drone surveying—to perform continual checks, ensuring high performance across all installed components. These works included Solar PV, asbestos removal, cavity wall insulation upgrades, EWI, and LED lighting.
The works were delivered on time and well within budget, and stand to produce long-term savings for Gloucester City Council and its residents for years to come.
