City of Wolverhampton Council is set to begin work on a ground-breaking neighbourhood pilot aimed at cutting carbon emissions, lowering energy costs, and improving public health following a successful funding bid.

The council has secured £545,502 from the West Midlands Combined Authority's Net Zero Neighbourhood Fund for the Graiseley Low Carbon Energy Accelerator Pilot (LEAP).

This initial phase of the pilot will focus on a small cluster of streets in Graiseley, where data will be gathered to understand local needs. Selected eligible properties will also receive energy advice, retrofit assessments and low-cost energy-saving improvements.

The streets involved in the pilot include Lime Street, Fisher Street, Bristol Street, Manlove Street, Cardiff Street and Bingley Street, along with sections of Lea Road, Owen Road, Burleigh Road, Norfolk Road and Merridale Street West.

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Working closely with residents and businesses, the council will explore how initiatives such as home energy improvements, smart energy systems, active travel, community events and enhanced green spaces can help improve quality of life and tackle climate change.

Public events will be organised in the coming weeks to encourage local involvement and input from those living and working within the neighbourhood.

Subject to additional funding, further phases could see wider-scale property upgrades rolled out from 2026 onwards.

The findings from the Graiseley LEAP will help develop a scalable model that could benefit the entire city.

Councillor Qaiser Azeem, Cabinet Member for Transport and Green City at City of Wolverhampton Council, said: "I am delighted we have secured this funding and am excited to see the opportunities and benefits it can bring, and the lessons we can learn as part of our collaborative, city-wide Our Net Zero City 2041 efforts with communities and technical advisors.

"We want residents and businesses to be well informed and empowered to take climate action that can make a positive difference to their lives, and they will be at the centre of making this project a success."