Austin House Renovation

SES provided access scaffolding and landscaped tree protection to Austin House, an 18-storey block of flats in Walsall, supporting an energy saving and sustainability improvement programme.

The project was part of the Community Energy Saving Programme (CESP), which requires gas and electricity providers to deliver energy saving measures to domestic consumers in specific low-income areas of Great Britain. 

Enabling facade refurbishment works

The Contracting Authority, Walsall Housing Group, sought out SES as a specialist multi-storey access provider to design and install a 50 metre high scaffold that could accommodate all of the necessary facade refurbishment works.  These included environmentally beneficial additions such as thermal enhancement to the outer walls and innovative vertical photovoltaic panels fixed to the top two thirds of the entire gable elevation.

Landscaped tree protection

Additional scope for SES involved landscaped tree protection during the sustainability upgrade project.  70 bore holes were to be drilled in the surrounding landscaped area, which would enable the provision of ground sourced heat to the residents of Austin House. The landscaped area was heavily populated with trees and SES was asked to provide a secure framework to ensure maximum arboreal protection.

Access to over 1,800 dwellings

Completing the Austin House project marks the provision of access to over 1,800 dwellings by SES during the three year CESP period.  Through this access provision and environmental protection, SES has contributed to improving the energy efficiency and sustainability of social housing in the West Midlands.