Coddenham

In summer 2022 the Coddenham Community Response Group (CCRG), a collaboration of the parish’s charitable, statutory and voluntary groups conducted a full parish survey of all 279 households, with just over 50% responding. Many residents expressed concern with:

• the high cost of energy
• the transition from carbon-based heating, largely oil
• the lack of resilience of the local electricity network

The challenge of much of the village being in a conservation area and many properties being old and, in some cases, listed were highlighted.

88% of those responding said that they’d support a local solar/wind farm if it reduced their bills, in many cases with caveats.

In June 2023, the CCRG published a community plan, which included the formation of an energy conservation (and recycling) working party to take forward actions to respond to the comments made by residents. The formation of Central Suffolk Community Energy was the result, as it was clear that greater heft was required than Coddenham could muster alone. As Coddenham’s challenges are shared across much of central Suffolk, which is largely off the gas grid, so are many of the probable solutions.

The CCRG continues to report back to residents on a regular basis.

Some individual households have implemented solutions to improve their carbon footprint and move away from fossil-based fuels. As it is unlikely that an economic case can be made for a community scale solution within the parish, currently the focus is on making information available to households about what they can do themselves and what financial support is available to help them. This will be done via all channels. Should the backdrop change, then CSCE will seek to identify a feasible community level generation project locally, should there be support amongst residents for it.

Country Club – Grade II listed, within the Coddenham conservation area and street facing, there are very limited changes that can be made, but an enhanced insulation project is underway following a carbon audit.

Community Shop – Carbon audits completed and LED lighting introduced.

Mary Day Close Almshouse – the latter nine residential units were built to close to passive house standards and have individual air-sourced heat pumps, whereas the original 11 and the common rooms are oil fired. 

Mary’s Church – Grade I listed, within the conservation area and street facing there are limited obvious projects. However St Mary’s has achieved the Bronze Eco Church award.

The Coddenham Centre – against a 2020 baseline, the Centre’s carbon footprint has been reduced by 91%, through the introduction of improved insulation, LED lighting with proximity switches and the installation of three air-sourced heat pumps, 80 solar panels and two batteries. The Centre has 4 community EV chargers for use by residents and visitors. It has achieved Suffolk’s gold level Carbon Charter award.

Parish Council – street lighting moved to LED, with individual timers which has reduced annual costs by 80%.