INCA EWI Case Study: Katherine Street, Livingston

Reducing fuel poverty and the climate emergency are priorities for the Almond Housing Association and the project at Katherine Street presented an opportunity to deliver low carbon technologies and retrofit energy efficiency upgrades.

This refurbishment project will replace the existing mains gas fired boilers with new ASHP systems, providing space heating and hot water. The Association will use this project as a trial for installing ASHP in their properties. If successful, this clean heat will be considered in future development and refurbishment projects. The project aims to have a significant impact on tenant’s energy bills and reducing fuel poverty.

To ensure the buildings are future proofed the project is installing Envirowall cladding and double glazing to improve the thermal efficiency and ensure the benefit of the ASHP in maximised. Ventilation measures and environmental sensors will also be installed by the Association to monitor air quality and ensure heat and ventilation benefits are being maximised.

McTaggart Construction is proud to announce the successful completion of a major upgrading scheme of 25 flats at Katherine Street, Craigshill, Livingston, West Lothian, on behalf of client Almond Housing Association.

The project, which began on site in early January 2024, marks McTaggart Construction’s return to refurbishment work after a period focused on new build developments. Following a fire in early 2022, the decision was made to go beyond simple reinstatement works and transform the building into modern, energy-efficient homes for residents.

McTaggart Construction is proud to announce the successful completion of a major upgrading scheme of 25 flats at Katherine Street, Craigshill, Livingston, West Lothian, on behalf of client Almond Housing Association.

The project, which began on site in early January 2024, marks McTaggart Construction’s return to refurbishment work after a period focused on new build developments. Following a fire in early 2022, the decision was made to go beyond simple reinstatement works and transform the building into modern, energy-efficient homes for residents.

The refurbishment has delivered substantial improvements to the building, including the installation of a new external wall insulation and render system to significantly enhance the energy efficiency of the building fabric. In a move toward sustainable heating solutions, the previous gas boiler system has been replaced with individual air source heat pumps for each flat, providing modern, efficient heating and hot water.

These upgrades are expected to deliver tangible benefits for residents through reduced energy costs, while contributing to Scotland’s carbon net zero targets. The project has been made possible through grant funding from the Scottish Housing Net Zero Heat Fund, which supported the energy efficiency improvements.

“We are delighted to have completed this important project for Almond Housing Association,” said Janice Russell, Managing Director at McTaggart Construction. “This refurbishment demonstrates our continued commitment to delivering sustainable, energy-efficient homes that will benefit residents for years to come. The Katherine Street project shows how refurbishment work can combine fire safety reinstatement with forward-thinking environmental improvements.”

Iona Taylor, Director of Asset Management from Almond said “The Katherine Street project followed a significant fire and presented an opportunity to ensure the block was as energy efficient as possible for our customers. The non-traditional construction of the block presented a number of challenges which the team from McTaggart overcame alongside our consultants, Ramsay McMichael, and our in-house development team. We are delighted with the end result – high quality homes.”

The completion of the Katherine Street project reaffirms McTaggart Construction’s capability to deliver complex refurbishment schemes that meet modern energy efficiency standards.