A scheme to improve the energy efficiency of homes in Bristol has been approved.

The city’s ‘Warmer Homes’ initiative will upgrade more than 1,700 high and low rise council flats with measures such as external wall insulation, structural repairs and improvements to the external environment.

It is the second part of a three-stage programme spread out over nine years.

It has set a target of improving 65 tower blocks in Bristol at an estimated cost of £69 million. Funding comes from a mixture of sources, including the government’s Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.

Steven Barrett, Bristol City Council’s Service Director for Housing Delivery, said: “The majority of council housing stock in Bristol was built between 1950 and 1970 so some flats are now in need of improvement.

“The Warmer Homes programme will benefit tenants in a number of ways and a key benefit will be reducing heat loss from homes. This will decrease the risk of fuel poverty for tenants and help with the associated health problems of living in a colder home.”

Flats with expensive electric heating and no insulation are being prioritised.

Last week a sculpture of two life size whales made from recycled bottles was unveiled in the city.