A £16 million decarbonisation project has been approved for leisure centres across North Hertfordshire.

North Herts Council’s cabinet approved the award of a £15.89 million construction contract to Herts-based Willmott Dixon Construction to deliver the scheme, at its May 20 meeting.

It follows the council’s successful bid for £7.74m from the Government’s Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, administered by Salix Finance.

The funding, run by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will support the work at North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth, Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre, and Royston Leisure Centre.

The works will include replacing gas boilers with air source heat pumps, installing solar panels, changing air handling units, increasing insulation and glazing, and introducing energy-efficient systems throughout each building.

The project is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions across all three sites by more than 60 per cent.

Further work on the authority’s centres includes:

  • A new gym extension and refurbished changing village at Royston Leisure Centre
  • A new changing village and new flume at North Herts Leisure Centre
  • Refurbishment of the health suite and gym changing rooms at Hitchin Swimming and Fitness Centre

Cllr Mick Debenham, executive member for environment, leisure and green spaces, said: “This is a major step forward in making our leisure centres fit for the future.

“These upgrades will not only cut carbon and reduce energy use, they’ll help create better more modern leisure facilities for our residents to enjoy.”

Steve Kitchen, delivery director for Willmott Dixon, said: “As a company with a strong commitment to sustainability, we’re looking forward to working with North Herts Council in reducing carbon emissions and enhancing energy efficiency across vital community facilities.

“This supports our Now or Never strategy to help create greener, more sustainable public spaces for future generations.”

Work is expected to begin this Summer and complete by Spring 2026.

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