Isle of Wight biomass housing estate residents angry at energy price hikes

The biomass system provides local homes with heat and hot water

Residents at a housing estate with its own biomass heating network have said they are "angry and frustrated" at price hikes.

Bluebell Meadows and St George's Gate in Newport, Isle of Wight, have a system which burns wood chippings to provide heat and hot water.

Monthly charges have more than doubled since last year.

The estate's management company said it was looking at the fuel supply arrangements to try to reduce costs.

Mum-of-one Amy, 28, said she was "mortified" to see her bill go up from £38 to £100 per month.

"Like many others on the estate, one of the main reasons I purchased a new-build Barratts home was because of their unique selling point - the homes were economically efficient to run and now I can certainly say that is not true," she said.

Ward councillor Geoff Brodie said: "The whole development was going to be the greatest thing that ever happened — renewable energy, sustainable houses - and it was going to be cheap to run."

Residents have seen their energy bills rise sharply

He said bills had been partially subsidised so far, but increases had been phased in and no-one would know the full charges until Barratts hands over the biomass system when it is complete.

He said residents should be able to opt out of the scheme.

Barratt David Wilson Homes, Isle of Wight Council and Sovereign Network Group form the Pan Management Company.

A joint statement said the bill increases "reflect the handover of the biomass centre" from Barratts to the estate management company, as well as recent energy price increases and high inflation.

The heating network is almost complete, the statement said, and partners and the management company are working together to agree the maintenance strategy and service charge.

The statement said they were also looking at the fuel supply arrangements to try to help reduce costs, with more information confirmed towards the end of May.

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