Handover on Area Based Schemes 

Summer 2025 saw the much anticipated completion of construction works on homes in the first phase of the Levenshulme Area Based Scheme (LevABS). Whilst this was undoubtedly a big milestone for householders and partners, work doesn’t stop once tools are downed on-site, and we were keen to ensure that householders have the information they need … Read more

Real-time Training: A Reflection

Carbon Co-op’s area-based retrofit project is upgrading a group of homes in Levenshulme, South Manchester, aiming to improve energy efficiency, keep bills low and reduce carbon emissions. The key contractor for the scheme, Stockport-based B4Box, are not only a contractor but also a training provider, who are using the experience of retrofitting traditional Victorian terraced … Read more

Exploring the Levenshulme Area-Based Retrofit Scheme: A Walk with the Carbon Co-op Team

On a sunny Monday lunchtime, the Carbon Co-op team took a stroll around the streets of Levenshulme to check in on our Area-Based Retrofit Scheme—an exciting project that’s transforming homes for a more sustainable and just future. During our walk, we had the chance to chat with key members of the project team, including Hannah … Read more

Power of Collaboration in Area Based Schemes

Introduction The pilot Area-Based Retrofit scheme in Levenshulme, South Manchester has been designed to trial the benefits of a localised approach to retrofit works. The idea is to enable multiple nearby properties of the same type to ‘retrofit’ their homes, which means making domestic upgrades and installations that improve the energy efficiency of a property. … Read more

Financing the Levenshulme Area Based Retrofit Pilot

Introduction The goal of Manchester-based Carbon Co-op is to radically reduce domestic carbon emissions for people and communities using approaches such as ‘retrofit’ works (domestic upgrades or installations that improve energy efficiency). Carbon Co-op have recently coordinated an Area-Based Retrofit scheme in Levenshulme, South Manchester, making use of the efficiencies gained by working on multiple … Read more

Housing Plus Academy: Putting people at the heart of retrofit approaches in social housing

In September we held our first event for the Retrofit For All project with London School of Economics Housing and Communities at the National Communities Resource Centre at Trafford Hall. The event brought together housing providers, contractors, policy makers, and tenants to gain insights about their experience of people-centred approaches to retrofit through publicly funded … Read more