Busy community sites in London borough transformed into better places for local people

A fitness site, a precious listed school and a council depot get the energy efficiency treatment

A popular London Grade II listed school has been modernised thanks to government funding.

Children at Melcombe Primary School, Fulham, are set for a better learning environment thanks to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. 

The fund has provided money to help transform their classrooms into warmer and better ventilated spaces as well as saving on energy bills.

Energy efficiency works will help cut carbon emissions in the face of climate crisis.

We visited the team at Hammersmith & Fulham Council to discuss how works have progressed at the community school as well as two other Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme projects soon to be finished.

The council is ambitious. It aims to achieve net zero carbon emissions for the borough by 2030 and has implemented various initiatives, including retrofitting council homes and supporting residents in improving their properties. 

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by our teams at Salix, has been used as part of the council strategy to decarbonise public buildings as well as set an example to others.

The council has been able to tap into various funding phases of the scheme over the last few years.

We were able to take an inside look at the Fulham Palace Road school as well as visit Lillie Road Fitness Centre and the Bagleys Lane Depot. The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme funding has played a major role in modernisation.

Our client support officer Imogen Rogers has been working with the council to help steer the projects.

She said: “We visited three important local resources in one day, a school, a local depo and a leisure centre.

“Each site required different solutions to its energy management, and each site is vital to the way our community thrives.

“It demonstrates to us how the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has reached so broadly across our communities.”

Also attending on the day were Imogen’s colleagues, client support officers Maya Thorne and Michelle Yotcha. 

During the visit they were able to meet council carbon zero program manager Joy Olokpa, Sebastian Mazurczak and Ethelbert Clarke from the council’s technical services team. Josh Fay from consultants, Baily Garner, were also able to join.

Today it is a newly modernised and thriving school where the new energy efficiency measures are expected to save on bills. We visited during the school holidays when most of the installation work must happen.

Work has included digging up some of the playground to install the pipes for the air source heat pumps to the plant room. 

Imogen added: “It’s a lovely old school building. It was designed by T J Bailey in red brick and has a very solid feel. It looks like a great place for kids to learn and enjoy!”

The imposing building also bears the inscription ‘Fulham Palace Road School AD1901’ on the front.

They were able to see the new technologies being installed and discuss plans for the future. 

At Lillie Road Fitness Centre, air source heat pumps, insulation and draught proofing have been fitted, whilst at Melcombe Primary School air source heat pumps have been accompanied by loft insulation with similar technologies installed at Bagleys Lane Depot.

The council was awarded £5,376,849 under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme in a project worth £10,707,492.

Melcombe Primary School is one form entry school and has been used to teach since 1901.

Imogen added: “It’s a lovely old school building. It was designed by T J Bailey in red brick and has a very solid feel. It looks like a great place for kids to learn and enjoy!”

The imposing building also bears the inscription ‘Fulham Palace Road School AD1901’ on the front.

Today it is a newly modernised and thriving school where the new energy efficiency measures are expected to save on bills. We visited during the school holidays when most of the installation work must happen.

Work has included digging up some of the playground to install the pipes for the air source heat pumps to the plant room. 

Carbon zero program manager Joy Olokpa from the council said they have managed to navigate a number of challenges. 

She said it was important to identify and secure a suitable location for the air source heat pumps as well as obtaining the necessary consent from all relevant stakeholders. 

She added: “One of the major jobs on this site was asbestos removal and because of the nature of the building, it was not possible to remove it all.”

Meanwhile, at Lillie Road Fitness Centre, Fulham, the air source heat pumps are installed, and the pipework and plant room are complete.

The site is a popular community hub providing local people with gym and studio facilities.

The council is now awaiting Distribution Network Operator works before connection and commissioning. This means the site will be able to make full use of its energy efficiency measures.

Maya said: “These are complex works that have involved a lot of planning, and it has certainly been a positive outcome.

“As a result of that good planning and co-ordination there has been minimal disruption to the fitness centre and most importantly to the local community.”

Bagleys Lane Depot is another busy hub and is used to clean and service council vehicles.

The team is awaiting Distribution Network Operator works.  The challenges here have been around providing channelling in the road which have impacted schedules.

Michelle said: “A depo is not a site many of us usually see, but it’s a very busy centre and needs to remain operational. 

“It’s been interesting to discuss the practical challenges they have faced but also it is very positive about what has been achieved.

“They still need to complete electrical work as well as fit out the plant room.”