Resident Campaign for Affordable, Controllable, Safe Heating

Westminster City Council are overhauling the system that provides heating and hot water to 3300 households in Pimlico. Why you should be concerned:

Your rent will increase - tenants aren't safe from this.

Costs of up to £66,000 per flat - but the Council won't tell you the actual cost until after they've decided on the final heating solution.

Failed consultation - The Energy Ombudsman said so. The Council didn't listen.

£400 million total cost – who pays if costs spiral?

The Council wants a blank cheque. We say no.

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What's happening?

Westminster City Council is pushing ahead with plans to upgrade their heating and hot water system (the PDHU) at an estimated lifetime cost of £400 million. This will have a huge impact on all residents with no guarantee that heating bills will reduce or that the service will improve. You’ll be expected to pay without having ownership or control of the system.

Who does this affect?

The PDHU supplies heating and hot water to residents in Abbots Manor, Churchill Gardens, Lillington and Longmoore and Russell House, as well as 50 commercial premises, 3 schools and a post office. This affects council tenants, private tenants and leaseholders.

Why is this happening?

To meet Westminster Council's 2030 net zero target and because the infrastructure is failing due to decades of poor maintenance, openly admitted by the Council.

How does this impact you?

You could see all of your pipework replaced leading to significant alteration to the inside of your flat, in particular to bathrooms and kitchens. New pipework will need to be boxed in
Leaseholders could pay up to £66,000* per flat (which could actually cost you up to £140,000 over the Council's 25 year repayment period)
Council tenants could see increased rents and services charges
You may need to move out while work is undertaken. There are examples of major works on other estates where Council tenants have not been able to return to their original properties
Read more about impact in our FAQs

What are Pimlico Unites calling for?

We support modernising our heating. But we demand:

✓ Clear costs before decisions
✓ Proper consultation
✓ Value for money
✓ Fair treatment for all

What do residents think?

Over the summer of 2025, Pimlico Unites surveyed residents on the future of the PDHU. The message is clear: residents strongly support independent heating and hot water, not a heat network.

The responses reveal strong concerns around affordability, disruption and trust in the Council, and a desire for more control over heating and costs.