ORP 3 for Cynon Taf Community Housing Group – Optimised Retrofit Programme for domestic housing association properties

We partnered with Cynon Taf Community Housing Group to deliver a multi-phase ORP 3.1-3.3 2022/25 programme, upgrading over 280 occupied homes, dramatically improving energy efficiency, cutting carbon emissions, and enhancing resident comfort across general needs, sheltered, and supported housing. The scope included whole-house retrofit measures to the latest PAS2035 standards, with all works quality-assured and lodged through TrustMark’s data warehouse. This scheme demonstrates our capability to deliver large-scale, compliant retrofits.

The three phases of the project:

Phase 1 (pilot):

Pilot retrofitting of 10 occupied houses, focussing on fabric and ventilation: loft insulation, triple-glazed windows, improved extractor fans, smart heating controls, and energy monitoring systems (EMS). Phase 1 met all targets for energy performance and resident satisfaction, leading to additional funding for a larger rollout in the next phase.

Phase 2:

Retrofit works to 45 homes. In total, we upgraded 200+ triple-glazed windows, replaced 1000m²+ of loft insulation, upgraded ventilation 170-unit, Solar PV 45 units, EWI, IWI, hybrid wall, cavity walls and deployed EMS devices for ongoing performance.

Phase 3:

A broad rollout to 180 additional properties, each receiving a PAS2035-compliant Whole House Assessment followed by installation of comprehensive fabric and renewable measures. Upgrades included EWI or IWI, cavity wall and underfloor insulation, top-up loft insulation, solar PV panels, and triple-glazed windows. All properties have been improved to at least a high EPC ‘C’ rating, with significantly enhanced thermal comfort and lower energy costs. Air-tightness tests and post-works surveys indicated substantial reductions in heat loss and high resident satisfaction. All Phase 3 data and evidence were lodged to TrustMark, fulfilling compliance and reporting requirements under ORP 3.3.

The project provided team partnered with the Community Benefit Society’s ‘Down to Zero’ to support their goals of empowering community-led environmental activities and minimising waste. More than 20 salvaged windows from site were re-used for a community greenhouse.

Watch what residents have to say about our work.