A PROJECT designed to improve the warmth of thousands of homes throughout Devon was officially launched at the Met Office, Exeter, by Linda Gilroy MP. From this month, Devon Warm Zones aims to target 140,000 homes in Devon to increase the take up of energy efficiency grants and measures to make their homes warmer. Cllr Diana Moyse, chairman of West Devon Borough Council's future planning and housing committee, said: 'The work done by Warm Up West Devon has already made a difference in reducing fuel poverty, and the launch of the Devon Warm Zone will help even more people reduce their fuel bills. 'It helps those on low incomes, particularly pensioners, as well as helping us to save precious energy resources whilst we can. Reduced fuel use will benefit the environment.' Devon Warm Zones was established last October as a partnership between the eight district councils and two unitary authorities in Devon. The partnership received funding of £206,000 from the DEFRA Community Energy Efficiency Fund to put in place the processes, partnerships and structures required for an approach to the alleviation of fuel poverty in Devon. George Greenaway, principal environmental health officer at West Devon, said: 'The poor health, poverty and other problems that arise from living in a cold damp home is a serious problem across Devon. 'The ten Devon local authorities have combined to create Devon Warm Zones and will continue to work together to combat fuel poverty.' Each district council has selected an area — warm zone — within its district where this approach will have most impact on fuel poverty. Householders in each warm zone will be targeted through either door-to-door canvassing, marketing or a referral network of health and social care professionals and community organisations.
