Millions invested to cut carbon emissions across North Northamptonshire leisure facilities

£3.8 million investment improves comfort, reduces running costs and cuts carbon across major leisure facilities

Major low carbon upgrades at three of North Northamptonshire’s largest leisure facilities are set to remove an estimated 690 tonnes of carbon emissions every year – thanks to the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.

Delivered through Phase 3c of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the £4.38 million project has transformed heating and energy systems at Corby Cube, Corby East Midlands International Pool and Desborough Leisure Centre through the installation of air source heat pumps and solar panels.

The programme represents one of the council’s most significant carbon reduction projects to date and is expected to reduce the authority’s operational carbon footprint by around 3%.

We went along to visit the centre to meet the people behind the project. Team members Samuel Jackson, Christian Smaditch, Leah Smith and Olivia Crocker joined the informational tour.

North Northamptonshire Council secured £3,858,419 in grant funding through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme across two financial years, alongside an additional £600,000 investment from the council, bringing the total project value to more than £4.38 million.

Capital projects officer and project manager at North Northamptonshire Council Dylan Smith said: “The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has enabled us to make significant progress in reducing emissions across some of our most energy-intensive buildings.

“There have been challenges, for example, given the age of some of the buildings, it would have been preferable to have had a better understanding of our buildings before we started work, but we have made positive progress and worked very well with our contractors.”

The project, which was fully completed recently, has seen the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems with low carbon technologies including air source heat pumps and solar panels across the three sites.

During the visit, we were able to tour the newly completed installations across all three sites, with discussions focusing on the long-term environmental and operational benefits the scheme will deliver for residents and the wider community.

We were able to see the vast building management system controls and visit the large heat pumps on a roof of the Corby Cube, as well as the heat pump technology in the basements. 

The majority of lighting has also been replaced throughout the building with LED upgrades – which arounds more than 1,000 lights.

Corby Cube is a landmark building and a busy public hub, home to a theatre, register office, library, council and start-up office spaces, so ensuring it is fully operational and powered is key.

During our tour, we discussed the issues regarding installation of the huge heat pumps onto the roof, which involved large cranes as well as precision planning.

At the Corby East Midlands International Pool, we discussed the challenges of installing heat pumps next to Rockingham Forest and the conservation issues around the project – which has led to large acoustic fencing surrounding the site. The woods are home to a beautiful collection of bluebells, dog's mercury as well as wood anemone.

At Desborough Leisure Centre the air source heat pumps and solar panels are already making a difference.

Overall, the council programme is expected to remove an estimated 690 tonnes of carbon emissions annually - equivalent to a 3% reduction in the council’s operational carbon footprint of 20,084 tonnes.

Dylan added that it is still very much early days in terms of monitoring the new systems. 

He said: “We are pleased to be able to demonstrate the positive impact this investment is already having across our leisure facilities. These improvements will help futureproof our buildings, reduce carbon emissions and support more sustainable public services for our communities.”

The council team has worked alongside suppliers and installers Alternative Heat and construction and property consultancy Ingleton Wood on the project.

Mark Hyde from Alternative Heat said: “It’s very satisfying to see that local people now have better spaces to use – although most people will not even know we have done this work, so much is behind the scenes, but it makes a vast difference to how the buildings are used.”

Programme co-ordinator for Salix Samuel Jackson has worked closely with the council to achieve the work. He said: “This project is a major achievement for North Northamptonshire and demonstrates what can be delivered through strong partnership working and targeted investment.

“The scale of the carbon savings being achieved across these major public facilities is significant, and the successful delivery of the scheme will provide long-term environmental and operational benefits for residents and future generations.

“By replacing fossil fuel heating systems with modern low carbon technologies, the council has taken an important step towards creating more sustainable public buildings while reducing energy-related emissions across its estate.”

Colleague Leah Smith added: “It’s incredible to see what has been achieved here for local people where the facilities are obviously so well used.”

In terms of everyday use, Roger Bell, is corporate premises facilities manager for the council, and provides a practical summary of the project.

He said: “We know we have to get rid of the old gas boilers and we understand there is always a level of disruption involved in making progress, but there are long terms benefits.

“For now, I want to see how the new pumps perform during the winter, and then we will have a fuller understanding of impact.”

The Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme was launched in 2020 by government and has helped hundreds of public sector organisations in transitioning away from fossil fuel heating systems and improving the energy efficiency of public buildings as part of the UK’s wider net zero ambitions.

Thank you to North Northamptonshire Council for hosting us on the day and to Alternative Heat and Ingleton Wood for accompanying the visit and showcasing the technologies.