Riverside launches £72 million retrofit to transform social housing and cut emissions

Riverside, in partnership with Wates Group, has initiated a £72 million programme to upgrade over 3,000 homes across the UK, aiming to improve energy performance, reduce fuel poverty, and meet sustainability targets amid rising energy prices.

Liverpool-based housing group Riverside has embarked on a significant £72 million retrofit programme aimed at making over 3,000 homes warmer and more energy efficient. The project, led in partnership with WPS—a division of The Wates Group—will upgrade homes across Liverpool, Halton, Carlisle, the Langley estate in Middleton, and Enfield in London. Backed by a £36 million grant from the Government’s Warm Homes Social Housing Fund (Wave 3), Riverside is match funding the programme, which is expected to span three years from early October. The initiative targets raising homes to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band C through comprehensive measures such as cavity and external wall insulation, solar panel installations, roof modifications, double glazing, and new doors.

These efforts are designed not only to improve living conditions but also to tackle fuel poverty, reduce carbon emissions, and create local job opportunities, thereby supporting Riverside’s broader commitment to sustainability and its designation as a Strategic Partner of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The programme builds on Riverside’s prior retrofit success under Wave 2.1, where a £26 million investment improved energy efficiency in over 1,000 homes across similar regions. WPS has proven to be a trusted partner, having acted as Riverside’s contractor for previous phases and bringing established expertise in delivering high-quality retrofit projects.

Ian Gregg, Riverside’s Chief Property Officer, highlighted the transformative potential of the upgrades, noting how they will deliver warmer, more affordable homes, directly addressing issues of fuel poverty and household energy costs. Gregg also pointed to the positive outcomes documented during earlier retrofit phases and expressed pride in scaling these efforts to benefit even more residents. David Morgan, Executive Managing Director at WPS, stressed that the programme goes beyond mere improvements to housing stock; it aims to enhance economic and health outcomes for tenants, while contributing to the UK’s energy transition and net-zero ambitions.

WPS’s involvement in Riverside’s programme fits within the wider framework of its retrofit services, which comply with PAS 2035 standards and assist social landlords in navigating the complexities of securing funding from government initiatives such as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), the Green Homes Grant, and the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). The company has extensive experience in this sector, managing contracts valued at nearly £200 million, including recent multi-million-pound retrofit programmes for other housing associations such as Aster Group and Orbit. These projects are similarly focused on achieving EPC Band C ratings across thousands of homes by 2030 through a combination of insulation, renewable energy technologies, and building fabric improvements.

The scale and ambition of Riverside’s latest programme underline the crucial role of energy efficiency retrofits in the national effort to both improve social housing and address climate change. By delivering energy upgrades that facilitate lower energy consumption and bills, these projects offer tangible benefits to residents while advancing environmental targets. As energy prices remain volatile and concerns about fuel poverty persist, such large-scale retrofit initiatives are increasingly recognised as essential components of sustainable housing policy in the UK.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score:
10

Notes:
The narrative is fresh, published on 19 September 2025, with no prior appearances found. The £72 million retrofit programme is a new initiative, with no evidence of recycled content. The report is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. No similar content appeared more than 7 days earlier. The article includes updated data and new material, justifying a higher freshness score.

Quotes check

Score:
10

Notes:
The direct quotes from Ian Gregg and David Morgan are unique to this report, with no identical matches found in earlier material. No variations in wording were noted, indicating originality. No online matches were found for these quotes, suggesting potentially original or exclusive content.

Source reliability

Score:
8

Notes:
The narrative originates from TheBusinessDesk.com, a regional business news outlet. While not as globally renowned as some other sources, it is a reputable platform for regional business news. The report is based on a press release from Riverside, a well-established housing association with a public presence. The involvement of WPS, part of The Wates Group, adds credibility, as Wates is a known entity in the construction industry.

Plausability check

Score:
9

Notes:
The claims about the £72 million retrofit programme align with Riverside’s previous initiatives, such as the £26 million project improving over 1,000 homes. The involvement of WPS, a division of The Wates Group, is consistent with their past collaborations. The narrative lacks supporting detail from other reputable outlets, which is a minor concern. The language and tone are consistent with the region and topic, with no inconsistencies noted. The structure is focused and relevant, with no excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is formal and appropriate for a corporate announcement.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary:
The narrative is fresh, original, and based on a credible press release from Riverside, a reputable housing association. The claims are plausible and consistent with Riverside’s previous initiatives. The involvement of WPS, part of The Wates Group, adds further credibility. The language and tone are appropriate for the topic and region. No significant issues were identified, leading to a high confidence in the assessment.