MATCH funding has been secured by Craven District Council towards a £1.2 million project to decarbonise Skipton.

Solar panels will be installed in seven council buildings: Skipton Town Hall, Craven Leisure, Aireview House, Waltonwrays Crematorium, Belle Vue Square and the new Waste Management depot with work due to start this spring. The funding has been awarded by the European Regional Development Fund.

The project includes over 1,800m2 solar panels, large ground source heat pumps, heat recovery, online energy monitoring, insulation, and public displays of carbon emissions in council buildings.

The council is also partnering with Yorkshire Housing to reduce carbon emissions and fuel bills in 28 properties in the Greatwood and Horse Close Estate.

This forms part of Craven District Council ambition of achieving zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council, said: “It’s fantastic that we have been able to secure this funding for this important project. Combating climate change is one of the biggest challenges we all face and this will help us play our part here in Craven. This is one of the council’s key priorities for the next few years.

Craven District Council is funding £456,000 towards the scheme and Yorkshire Housing is contributing £88,250.

It is estimated that the project will save £75,000 in gas and electricity costs each year, and reduce the Council’s building carbon emissions by nearly 30 per cent.