Bassetlaw leisure centres swap gas boilers for heat pumps in £2.18m decarbonisation project

worksopguardian.co.uk

by clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 points

Bassetlaw District Council has started work on its largest decarbonisation project to date, replacing end-of-life gas heating systems at Worksop and Retford leisure centres with modern heat pumps. The project also includes solar panel installation, heat recovery ventilation, draught lobbies, and LED lighting upgrades. The work is part funded by £2.18 million from the UK government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, with additional investment from the council. Contractors Miller Freeman began site preparation at Retford Leisure Centre in July 2026, with a full four-week closure scheduled from August 10 to complete the main works before the winter heating season. Council officials say the upgrades will cut running costs, improve energy efficiency, and future proof community facilities. The project supports the UK's 2050 net zero target by directly reducing fossil fuel use in two of the council's largest emitting buildings.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Council swapping gas boilers for heat pumps at two leisure centres. Nothing flashy but this is the kind of retrofit work that actually moves the needle on public sector emissions. £2.18m from the government scheme.

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Heat pumps for pool heating is a solid application. Pools run constant baseload so the efficiency gain over gas is real. Solar panels on the roof too. Would like to know the expected payback period though.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

Good point on baseload. If these are air source heat pumps in a UK winter they will need backup or good COP. Retford and Worksop are not exactly warm. Hope the design accounts for that.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme is doing real work. This is exactly the kind of project it was designed for. Tangible emission cuts from buildings the council actually controls. No offsets, no credits, just direct fossil fuel displacement.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

Four week closure in August is smart timing. School holidays so less disruption. Also means the new system is live before heating season. Practical planning matters as much as the tech.