The Milton Keynes Carbon Offset Fund, which enables older homes to improve their energy efficiency through subsidised loft and cavity wall insulation, has received its first contribution from the Milton Keynes Tariff.  The payment of £79,118 has come from the completion of the new John Lewis distribution centre at Magna Park in the Eastern Expansion Area.

John Lewis, Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Partnership (MKP), said:  “Up to £3 million of Tariff money will be paid into the Carbon Offset Fund as a result of the development that is planned in the expansion areas and this will help many existing homes to become more energy efficient.  Once again Milton Keynes is demonstrating that it is taking a pioneering approach to encourage low carbon living.”

In line with MKC planning policy D4 developers pay contributions into the Carbon Offset Fund based on the additional carbon emissions generated by their buildings.  The Fund is managed for Milton Keynes Council by the United Sustainable Energy Agency, based at Knowlhill.

Since the Milton Keynes Carbon Offset Fund was introduced in 2008 developers have paid some £485,000 into the Fund.  So far this money has been used to insulate around 2500 existing older private homes, as well as sheltered housing across the city.

Milton Keynes Partnership is responsible for growth, development and investment in the new city.  It is a committee of the Homes and Communities Agency, the newly formed housing and regeneration agency for England, and brings together Milton Keynes Council, Local Strategic Partnership representatives from the health, community and business sectors and independent representation.