There has been a clash among Reading councillors over the lack of electricity supply that is hampering its goals to reduce carbon emissions.

Reading Borough Council has begun discussions with electricity provider Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to work on a strategy to increase electricity capacity.

A problem has arisen as SSEN has been unable to provide electricity connections to housing developments that would allow eco-friendly air source heat pumps to be installed.

The issue was recently discussed by councillors.

Councillor Jason Brock (Labour, Southcote), the council leader said: “It’s something that’s been on the radar for a little while.

“It’s something that has caused us to bother with some of our own council developments, and there is clearly a systematic problem.”

The council had to reduce the number of homes at its North Street development from 41 to 37 to allow air-source heat pumps and solar panels to be added.

Reading Chronicle: The North Street affordable homes development by Reading Borough Council, where homes provided were reduced from 41 to 37. Credit: Reading Borough CouncilThe North Street affordable homes development by Reading Borough Council, where homes provided were reduced from 41 to 37. Credit: Reading Borough Council

However, the council still aims to heat all 21 homes and a respite care facility for its development at Amethyst Lane using air-source heat pumps. 

Cllr Brock continued: “It does concern us that it might frustrate some of our ambitions as we progress towards net zero, particularly getting lower carbon forms of heating installed in some of the developments that are coming forward.”

One particular housing project that was singled out was the Emmer Green Drive development, where housebuilding conglomerate Vistry Group is building 223 homes at the old Reading Golf Course site.

Although an outline plan approved in March 2022 stated that all homes in the development would be fitted with air-source heat pumps, the actual number will be 81, as SSEN stated that it would be unable to provide the electricity required to power the pumps.

READ MORE: Doubt cast over green credentials of Golf Course development amid heat pump reduction and tree loss 

The reduction of the air-source heat pumps was approved along with other details in March this year.

Cllr Rob White (Green, Park) the leader of the opposition said: “Unfortunately all Labour councillors voted to go ahead with the scheme, despite 142 houses not being connected to air source heat pumps, therefore having to have gas boilers installed.

“It was only Labour councillors paralysed into inaction, not Greens, we voted against it.”

Hitting back, Cllr Brock said: “This NIMBYish approach that you simply go for time and time again lets residents down and you know it, and you do it simply because you chase that NIMBY boat wherever possible.”

Cllr Clarence Mitchell (Conservative, Emmer Green) said: “Unlike both sides, we’re not seeking to politicise this any further.

“The decision has been taken regarding that particular development. It is frustrating not just to the developers but to the community, many of whom obviously opposed this development in the first place.

Reading Chronicle: The entrance to the Reading Golf Course development, which will be called Emmer Green Drive. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting ServiceThe entrance to the Reading Golf Course development, which will be called Emmer Green Drive. Credit: James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporting Service

“But now that it is there we are endeavouring as ward councillors to build a constructive working relationship with both developers and the opposing groups.

“We as ward councillors would urge both council officers involved and SSEN to do all in their power, no pun intended, to make sure that this particular problem is overcome so that the development is at least as successful as it can be now that the decision has been taken.”

The clash between councillors over electricity capacity hampering the council’s goals comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak walked back on some of the government’s own measures to reduce carbon emissions announced in September.

READ MORE: Sir Alok Sharma expresses concern about government climbdown on climate goals

PM Sunak, the Conservative MP for Richmond, announced that a government ban on the sale of gas boilers has been scrapped.

The debate about electricity capacity took place at the council’s policy committee meeting held on Monday, September 25.