Client: East Ayrshire Council
Framework: N9 Retrofit and Decarbonisation
Appointed Company: Procast
About the Project
A comprehensive retrofit programme is set to revitalise 36 homes across three mid-rise blocks in Cumnock. The initiative focuses on boosting energy performance through state-of-the-art technology and fabric upgrades, while also introducing critical accessibility improvements for elderly and disabled residents.
The Meagher Court project marks the first phase of East Ayrshire’s ambitious Community of Renewable Energy (CoRE) vision, embedding social and environmental benefits at a foundational level to make communities better connected, healthier and improve living standards through a just transition.
This landmark project has attracted £3.9m funding as part of the Ayrshire Growth Deal, alongside a £186,000 grant from the UKRI centre for Net Zero High Density Buildings and EPSIRC, enabling enhanced monitoring and evaluation of the project. The first block’s retrofit is further supported by £420,000 from the Scottish Government’s Social Housing Net Zero Heat Fund (SHNZHF), serving as a pilot to inform larger scale energy decarbonisation efforts across Scotland while tackling fuel poverty and enhancing resident wellbeing.
As Scotland’s leading procurement partner, the energy upgrades will be supported by SPA’s N9 Retrofit and Decarbonisation framework. This partnership provides a compliant and streamlined route to a diverse range of verified and capable suppliers, aligned with key policies, and industry best practice to deliver retrofit projects effectively.
The Challenge
The existing blocks featured standard cavity construction that predated PAS 2035 standards, with insulation on the external wall being the source of significant thermal inefficiencies. The combination of rapid heat loss and an ageing gas system indicated a cycle associated with fuel poverty, where previous tenants were paying for heating that was consistently escaping through the walls and roof.
With one block sitting empty, the impact of poor energy efficiency on the community was clear. However, with the flats being unoccupied this provided a rare window to carry out a comprehensive retrofit, allowing for complex installations that may not be possible in occupied homes.
East Ayrshire Council’s vision for Meagher Court consisted of upgrading the existing building into high performing energy efficient properties that addressed local housing needs. However, the scale of the retrofit required a strategic approach to navigate both technical hurdles, and financial considerations to make energy efficient technology accessible for social housing.
The project’s viability balanced on meeting strict government windows, specifically the September 2028 deadline for SHNZHF grants. To maximise this investment, selecting the right procurement route was vital to meet the delivery window while maintaining regulatory compliance.
The Solution
As our largest framework to date, N9 is designed to support large-scale energy upgrades across Scotland’s public sector buildings. It offers an end-to-end solution from consultancy to identify funding options, thermal surveying to a catalogue of measures spanning from heat pumps to solar PV and energy performance management systems.
Using the N9 framework, East Ayrshire Council conducted a mini competition and Procast were appointed.
Procast are delivering a phased upgrade to transform each block into a model for net zero living. The work will include replacing outdated gas central heating with a communal ground source heat pump system and integrating advanced energy efficiency measures, including solar PV, battery storage, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. The high performance design plan will provide up to an 80% reduction in heat loss, ensuring the blocks are future proofed against rising energy costs and climate change.
Integrated with our 3-year Social Value Strategy, N9 proactively secures the future of Meagher Court by aligning project delivery with measurable social objectives.
At SPA, we work closely with our partners to identify community benefits that have a sustainable impact on the area. As part of the project delivery, the CoRE programme will establish a dedicated academy in Cumnock and Doon Valley, offering specialised STEM and renewable energy training to equip residents with the skills required for sustainable careers.
In collaboration with East Ayrshire Council and Procast, we are proud to support the CoRE vision, accelerating green recovery in rural towns while improving Scottish community wellbeing. Meagher Court will provide a scalable model for tackling fuel poverty in rural areas, improving the accessibility to sustainable technology that can deliver a higher standard of living for all.