A NEW plan to make Barton a more environmentally friendly place is being launched today.

Free surveys are now on offer to Barton residents which could help them cut their utility bills by making more efficient use of the energy they use in their homes.

Oxford City Council and the Low Carbon Hub are launching their new community green deal pilot scheme “Warming Barton” at the Barton Therapy Bash.

The annual event attracts hundreds of people and is due to take place at the Neighbourhood Centre in Underhill Circus from 10am to 5pm.

The council and the hub will work with other organisations such as Low Carbon Barton and the Barton Community Association to offer residents energy surveys on their homes.

Those who sign up will get a free energy survey and report, including an Energy Performance Certificate, worth £100, to highlight ways of improving efficiency.

The scheme will also give householders an insight into what will be available to them under the Government’s new “green deal”.

This will allow households to sign up for improvements such as insulation and renewable energy installation, paid for through loans that are paid back by additions to their energy bills.

City councillor Van Coulter, who represents Barton and Sandhills for the Labour Party, said he supported the Warming Barton scheme.

He said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for residents in Barton to understand how to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and take advantage of the green deal when it is launched.”

The Low Carbon Hub is an Oxfordshire organisation that offers resources, training and advice to those who want to make their lives and communities greener.

Director Barbara Hammond said: “The green deal is billed to be the largest scheme of its kind which looks at tackling energy-efficiency and fuel poverty.

“The Low Carbon Hub is delighted to be running a pilot green deal scheme in Barton with local groups.

“The aim is to make local homes warmer, more comfortable to live in, cheaper to run, and more environmentally friendly at the least cost to householders.

“If successful, we hope to roll this out all over Oxford.”

Energy Saving Co-operative chief executive Ewan Jones also backed the scheme.

He said: “Local organisations are best placed by far to understand and act on energy saving needs of residents.”

The Government’s “green deal” was passed by parliament as part of the Energy Act 2011, and aims to reduce carbon emissions by offering people a way to pay for big projects.

Barton residents interested in the survey go to lowcarbonhub.org