This exciting project has local people at its heart and is focussed on co-designing a healthier, more sustainable future for all. Thanks to funding from the West Midlands Combined Authority, we have a unique opportunity to make real, lasting change.
Together with the local community, we aim to create:
- warmer, more energy-efficient homes
- greener, more attractive streets
- safer, more welcoming public spaces
We understand the challenges many residents in Hillfields face, from high energy bills and poor air quality to limited green spaces and fewer street trees in some areas.
We want to hear the ideas, concerns, and priorities of the local community to help shape the changes that matter most.
The initial development stage of the project will continue through to March 2026. Retrofit work will then run through to March 2028.
Aims
Community-led design and decision-making
This project is centred around community engagement. Through a series of events, workshops, and conversations, we’ll gather feedback and ideas to guide the project.
Community input will help shape the improvements we make, ensuring they reflect the needs of the people that live in Hillfields.
Warm, energy-efficient homes
One of the projects aims is to make home improvements (retrofit) to improve energy efficiency. This should help homes become warmer in winter, reduce carbon emissions and overall lower energy bills.
We are working with E.ON as part of our Strategic Energy Partnership [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/strategic-energy-partnership-1], to deliver these improvements. Depending on eligibility and property needs, upgrades may include but are not limited to:
- wall and loft insulation
- energy-efficient lighting
- solar panels
- smart heating controls
- heat pumps
- other energy-saving measures based on the needs of each property
Please note: Not all properties will receive the same upgrades, as improvements and funding contributions will depend on each home's needs, eligibility, and what is feasible.
In the first phase of the project, we will work with people living in Grantham Street, King Richard Street and Britannia Street, as these have been identified as some of the areas that retrofit will make the biggest difference. We’ll be speaking with residents in these locations to understand their needs and explore how these changes could benefit them.
Our Strategic Energy Partnership has also been working with tech startup Kestrix to use thermal camera drones and advanced 3D heat loss modelling at scale [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/news/article/5179/e-on-and-coventry-city-council-launch-drone-scans-with-tech-startup-kestrix-to-drive-warmer-homes-at-scale]. The drone surveys have been focused in the Hillfields area, offering detailed insights into where and how heat is escaping from homes. This data is helping to identify specific improvements that could significantly boost energy efficiency and make homes more comfortable and cost-effective to heat.
Greener spaces and neighbourhood improvements
There are many different reasons why green spaces are important, especially in urban environments. This project will explore ways to enhance and expand green space across Hillfields, bringing a range of benefits:
- improved health and wellbeing through access to nature
- support for wildlife and local biodiversity
- cleaner air by absorbing pollutants
- cooler streets through shade and urban cooling
- better water management to help reduce flooding
Initiatives similar to our Coventry Grows [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/climate-change/coventry-grows] community gardens are just one example of how local spaces can be transformed. We’ll work with residents to identify opportunities for green space improvements.
Low-carbon travel and active transport
We want to make it easier and safer for people to walk, wheel, cycle, and use low-carbon transport. This will help:
- improve air quality
- reduce traffic congestion
- support healthier lifestyles
- make streets more pleasant and accessible
We’ll explore improvements to walking, wheeling and cycling infrastructure and look at how to encourage more sustainable travel options throughout Hillfields.
Community energy and climate resilience
We’re also exploring innovative local energy solutions, like community heat networks, that could help Hillfields become more climate resilient and energy independent. Whilst we’re still in the early stages, we’re exploring what might be possible and how it could benefit everyone.
Alongside this, we’re looking at how to make public spaces and streets more resilient to extreme weather events, such as flooding and heat waves.
Get involved
Upcoming events
Event updates will be posted here and shared using our e-newsletter.
Hillfields Community Festival
We will be attending the WATCH Hillfields Community Festival on Saturday 23 August 2025.
Come along to find out more about the project and hear about home energy improvements.
Location: 12 Victoria Street, Hillfields, Coventry, CV1 5LZ
Contact us
Have questions or suggestions? We’d love to hear from you.
Hillfields Neighbourhood Improvements
Hillfields neighbourhood improvements - privacy notice for the climate change and sustainability department
Coventry City Council Complies with the Data Protection Act and the UK GDPR and is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) as a Data Controller.
This Privacy Notice explains how personal information is going to be used, what for, who it will be shared with and why.
Why we collect and use personal data about you
We collect and hold personal information relating to the Hillfields Neighbourhood Improvements Project.
We use this information to:
- Contact you about the Hillfields Neighbourhood Improvements project
- To provide you with information about related projects and services
- Connect you with our Strategic Energy Partner E.ON
- To assess your eligibility for energy efficiency measures
- Help us to develop and improve our services
We process your personal data with your consent.
What information do we collect about you?
- Name
- Email addresses
- Addresses (including business address)
- Tenure
- Phone numbers
- Age category
- Gender
- Ethnicity
- Disabilities
Who we share your personal data with
We will share data with:
Our Strategic Energy Partner, E.ON, so they can contact you about this project. This may include assessing your eligibility for energy efficiency improvements or involving you in other project-related activities.
Other Council services where relevant, to provide information about related projects and services and to help connect you with relevant updates, support, training, volunteering opportunities, or other local initiatives you’ve expressed interest in.
How long will we keep your information?
We will only keep your information for as long as we need to so we can give you the service you need, unless we must keep it for legal reasons.
Your rights
You have the right to:
- Ask to see the personal information we hold about you
- Withdraw consent (see below)
- Ask us to change the information we hold about you if it is wrong
- Ask us to delete the information we hold about you
- Ask us to limit the way we use your personal Information
- Ask for human intervention regarding decisions made about you by a computer
- Data portability (have your data transferred to another Authority)
- Complain to the Information Commissioner’s Office
To exercise any of these rights, please contact the Hillfields Neighbourhood Improvements Team on SustainableHillfields@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:SustainableHillfields@coventry.gov.uk]
Withdrawal of consent
Where personal data is processed based on consent, you will have the right to withdraw that consent. However, Coventry City Council processes personal data that it is necessary to do so to comply with our legal obligations and to enable us to perform tasks carried out in the public interest.
Complaints
You have the right to submit a complaint if you are unhappy with the way your request is handled or disagree with a decision made by the council regarding your data. In these circumstances, you can contact the Data Protection Team (DPO) dpoteam@coventy.gov.uk [mailto:dpoteam@coventy.gov.uk] and request a review of the decision.
If you are not satisfied with any outcome from the DPO you may wish to apply to the Information Commissioner’s Office at:
The Information Commissioner’s Office
Wycliffe House
Water Lane
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5AF.