Region set for net-zero neighbourhood rollout

Claire Coutinho MP and Andy Street in Dudley

Wolverhampton is among seven places chosen to be a net-zero neighbourhood.

The government has invested £6.2m to help the West Midlands reach its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2041.

West Midlands mayor Andy Street said there was already significant work under way in the region to decarbonise homes and business.

Early-stage planning will now begin on net zero neighbourhoods in Wolverhampton, Birmingham, Coventry, Sandwell, Solihull and Walsall, the West Midlands Combined Authority added.

Energy secretary Claire Coutinho visited Dudley on Thursday, home to an estate set to become one of the UK's first carbon offsetting areas as it was being retrofitted.

Homes were being fitted out by using "cutting-edge" insulation with options for solar panels and low carbon heating systems, among other measures.

The region's mayor Andy Street said £1.6m had already been invested in the market town.

"It was fabulous to see the work going on in Dudley and across the West Midlands to develop Net Zero Neighbourhoods," Ms Coutinho said.

“We are backing these efforts with government cash which will help whole neighbourhoods to decarbonise their homes and businesses."