Bradford City Hall Awarded £2 Million Decarbonisation Grant

A West Yorkshire council has been granted approximately £2 million to facilitate the decarbonisation of its 19th-century City Hall. This government funding is designated to cover hot water and heating system modifications at Bradford City Hall. According to Bradford Council, these works, once finished, are expected to enhance air quality and improve the health of the city’s residents. A spokesperson clarified that this specific funding is part of a larger £15.8 million government grant provided to Bradford, aimed at improving the city’s energy efficiency. Councillor Sarah Ferriby, portfolio holder for healthy people and places, stated: “We’re not just looking at making current infrastructure more sustainable, we’re also keen to look at renewable energy sources too.” The authority indicated that the proposed new heating system for the Grade I listed City Hall, originally built in 1873, would allow for the removal of its 1.5MW gas-fired boilers. This type of heating system is one the government is seeking to phase out due to its high carbon emissions. The £2 million grant will cover 88% of these adaptations, with the remaining 12% to be sourced from the council’s reinvestment of Clean Air Zone funding. Bradford Council leader Susan Hinchcliffe commented: “The heat decarbonisation and energy efficiency grants will allow us and other organisations in Bradford to contribute to start the process of decarbonisation and contribute to the district’s net zero targets.” In addition to pipework improvements at the landmark building, City Hall is also slated for connection to the new Bradford District Heat Network, as confirmed by the council. The authority anticipates that upon its completion in summer 2027, the Bradford District Heat Network will generate heat using one of the largest air source heat pump systems for heat networks in the UK. Other Bradford organizations that have also received grants for greener heating include Bradford College, HM Courts and Tribunals Service, and the University of Bradford. A Bradford Council spokesperson remarked: “We are looking forward to seeing the Bradford District Heat Network progress and connect to key buildings in the city that will reduce carbon emissions from heating compared to gas boilers in a scalable, affordable and proven solution to achieving net zero.” They further added: “Finding the right schemes to support and invest in is vital. These not only benefit the environment and potentially reduces costs for customers in the longer term, but also improves energy security nationally.”