We are investing in our blocks and creating modern homes where residents have more control over their heating, and feel safer and warmer.
The programme includes significant upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of the buildings, and to make them fit for the future.
This page includes everything residents need to know about the ongoing works, including:
- What works are taking place and how it will benefit residents
- Understanding changes to your heating and hot water costs
- How we are supporting residents
- The closure of the bin chutes
- Safety improvements
- And much more!
What works are taking place?
Our goal is to provide you with the best possible living environment and ensure your home is future-ready.
The new heating system and the improvement works
- Communal heating – we are replacing the existing communal heating system with a new system which will provide you with a reliable supply of heat and hot water all year round. You can find out all the details about this in a further FAQ. Our low-rise blocks, Coldharbour House, Foxtree House, Maple Court and Peartree Court, will also benefit from the new ground source heat pump.
- A ‘Sunamp’ heat battery – this is an innovative, compact unit that will go in your home to store heat for your hot water. The Shoebox GSHP will be programmed to heat the Sunamp to meet your hot water requirements – it ensures very little heat is wasted, helping to keep your running costs down.
- Internal & external wall insulation (IWI & EWI) – replacing the existing blue panelling with non-combustible EWI, helping to keep the building warm in the coldest months
- Upgraded flat entrance doors, windows and ventilation
- Roofing – as well as carrying out repairs to the roof, we will be adding insulation
- Solar PV – solar panels will be fitted to generate electricity. This will provide power to communal areas – bringing down your service charge – and to help power the heat pump in your home, benefiting every resident equally and reducing the overall cost of heating and hot water.
We are doing this because the old communal boiler system is entering the end stages of its lifecycle and would need to be replaced within a few years. In line with the government’s commitment to phasing out systems that use fossil fuels in favour of renewable energy, we decided to move away from gas and install a GSHP system.
When the system is installed in your home, we will give you full guidance on how to control your heating and get the best out of the new heat pump.
• new windows
• external and internal wall insulation
• roof upgrades
• improved ventilation systems
• fire safety enhancements
These upgrades are designed to improve the comfort, warmth, and safety of your home, reduce energy usage and meet future environmental standards.
Because of this, we do not expect to hear back from the Building Safety Regulator for another few months. We will provide more information as soon as we can.
Other frequently asked questions
Residents can also use the temporary car park in the field adjacent to Abbey View and Munden View.
The field, which is also being used temporarily as a site compound, is owned by Hertfordshire County Council. This arrangement is solely for the duration of the improvement works.
Once the project is complete, the field will be reinstated to its original condition.
If you rent your home, there will be no additional cost to you. If you are a leaseholder, we will contact you to advise you of any costs in advance.
We will be putting up acoustic barriers, a temporary sound-proofing material, around the site and on the scaffolding to alleviate noise disturbance.
All our contractors will be asked to park considerately – if you have any concerns, please contact us.
As there will be an increased amount of contractors working at the bottom of the buildings, please be mindful of leaving loose objects on the edge of your balcony.
If you have not been receiving these updates, please contact us to make sure we have the correct details for you.
We have been sending residents of Abbey View and Munden View, and the low-rise blocks, newsletters with all the latest updates on the improvement works. You can see the latest newsletter at the top of this page.
To give residents a good understanding of how the new heating and ventilation systems will work in the high-rises, we are setting up demonstration systems in an empty apartment in Munden View.
Soon you will be able to visit the demonstration apartment to see exactly how the systems work and how they will look when we install them in your home. You will be able to book an appointment to visit the apartment, where a member of staff will be on hand to answer questions.
We will also be filming a walkthrough video of the show room for those unable to visit – we will let you know when this is available.
Please also keep an eye on this page - we will keep it updated with all the latest information throughout the programme of works.
Or you can contact Geoff Saunders, Sustainability Project Manager, at geoff.saunders@wcht.org.uk for any questions about the improvement works.
For questions about bins or fire safety, contact Building.safety@wcht.org.uk.
For estates queries you can contact your dedicated Estates Officer, Andrew Procter, at Andrew.Procter@wcht.org.uk.
Understanding your heating and hot water costs
We want to be completely transparent with you about how your bills will change with these upgrades.
Before - how it works now: | After – what you will pay when you move to the new system: |
You currently pay a flat charge for your heating and hot water from the communal gas system as part of your service charges. It is important to understand that the actual cost of running this old communal gas system for every home is significantly higher than what residents collectively pay. This means that, on average, a portion of each household’s heating and hot water cost has been subsidised by Watford Community Housing, so what you pay now does not reflect the full cost of the energy being used. | Once you have moved over to the new ground source heat pump-based system, you will pay for the electricity that you use for your heating and hot water. This puts you in control of what you use and how much you pay. The heat pumps’ increased efficiency means that your home will require far less energy overall to stay warm compared to the old system. However, we realise that electricity rates are generally higher than gas rates, and that how much energy you need will depend partly on the size and location of your home. |
We are unable to give a full estimate of what your heating and hot water bills will be, as that will depend on how much you use. However, we have appointed High Aims as our project partner to carry out energy assessments and provide individual support to residents.
Pop along to one of their drop-in events (dates to the right) to meet the team, ask questions, find out more about the project, and book in your one-to-one energy assessment.
The survey will take no longer than 30 minutes and will include questions about your household, your home, and your current energy usage and costs. They will also discuss any energy-related challenges you may be experiencing and identify possible cost savings or support available.
Some of the other ways we will be providing support include:
- An initial subsidy
- A one-off payment of £240 to any residents found to be in fuel poverty
- Our Financial Inclusion team can offer help if you have money worries
Come along to High Aim's drop-in events!
They will be in the entrance hall to Munden View from 9am to 6.30pm on:
• Wednesday 4 March
• Thursday 5 March
• Wednesday 18 March
• Thursday 19 March
What is the next stage of the works?
The communal gas heating system which fuels your heating and hot water is being replaced by a mains electricity-powered Shoebox ground source heat pump (GSHP) system. We are doing this because the old communal boiler system is entering the end stages of its lifecycle and would need to be replaced within a few years.
Kensa have now completed the initial drilling works for the ground source heat pump system. There is currently a pause in works on site, as we are waiting for permits and approvals ahead of the next stage of works. We will provide more information on these as soon as we can.
Low rises – Coldharbour House, Foxtree House, Maple Court and Peartree Court:
Once we have a permit from the Environment Agency, Kensa will visit your home to install your new Shoebox heating unit, connecting the ground source heat pump system to your home. This is expected to take three days, as they carry out the following works:
1. Install Sunamp unit and fit the new heat pump
2. Electronically connect the system and make sure the heat pump is running and operating correctly
3. Complete boxing in hallway and rooms, installing a shelf above the heat pump and Sunamp, and any follow-up works that are needed
Kensa will give you a comprehensive guide on how the system works and how to get the best out of it when they visit, but in the meantime, the video below shows how the same Shoebox unit that you will receive works in a similar home.
High rises – Abbey View and Munden View:
The final phase of connecting your home to the new system will happen later than the low-rise blocks, as part of the wider programme of works at Abbey View and Munden View that will include:
- Internal & external wall insulation (IWI & EWI) – replacing the existing blue panelling with non-combustible EWI
- Upgraded flat entrance doors, windows and ventilation
- Repairing and insulating the roof
- Solar PV
You will receive the same support mentioned above, just at a later date.
We will keep you fully up to date on when we expect these works to take place, but in the meantime, the video below shows how the Shoebox unit will work.
Closing the bin chutes at Abbey View and Munden View
Following the fire that occurred at Abbey View on 26 July 2025, we decided to close the bin chutes in both Abbey View and Munden View, to make your block as safe as possible.
We understand that going from the internal bin chutes to an external bin store is a significant change, but resident safety must always come first.
We are pleased to say that we have completed the installation of the metroSTOR bins, providing you with a safer and cleaner way to dispose of your rubbish, and reducing the risk of vermin and anti-social behaviour.
Please follow the guidance on what goes into each bin, and ask us if you need support getting rid of your rubbish.
On 26 July 2025, a fire broke out in one of the bin chutes in Abbey View. An independent Fire Risk Assessment found that smoke and heat escaped through the chute doors, allowing smoke to spread into residential corridors.
For your safety, the bin chutes were closed and new, external bin stores have been installed.
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service have also recommended that the ‘stay-put’ strategy should remain in place.
The Fire Risk Assessment confirmed that the fire doors and flat front doors performed correctly during the fire. However, closing the bin chutes reduces the risk of smoke spreading in corridors.
The MetroSTOR bins
Safety improvements
As part of our efforts to improve Abbey View and Munden View we have also installed numerous safety features to each tower block.
They are covering the bin chutes, the fire doors leading to the central lift corridor, the lifts, and the car park barriers. The footage will only be looked at when an incident has been reported, such as anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, shopping trolley dumping, and to ensure proper use of the bin chutes. We will then work with Watford Borough Council to fine or prosecute the perpetrators who are fly-tipping, as per our Estates Services Policy.