Improving our corner of the planet
Join us in creating a sustainable future for Crick.
Improving our corner of the planet
Join us in creating a sustainable future for Crick.
Better Crick CIC
Discover Better Crick CIC: Empowering Communities
Better Crick CIC is a not-for-profit community organisation. It was set up by local residents in 2024 to support projects that improve life in Crick, with a focus on sustainability and the environment.
We work in partnership with Crick Parish Council and other local groups. Our aim is to help reduce energy costs, suppor
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Crick Parish Council and Better Crick CIC secured funding from the UK Government’s Community Energy Fund in 2024.
This funding was used to carry out a feasibility study into practical ways Crick could reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, cut carbon emissions and support local energy improvements.
The study was carried out by Scene, a specialist energy consultancy. Over several months, they collected and analysed data on energy use in homes, businesses, and public buildings in Crick. They also looked at heating systems, electricity supply, energy efficiency, and the potential for generating local renewable energy.
The study has now been completed. This is what it found:
What was ruled out
Some options were looked at but found not to be suitable for Crick at this time. The most significant example is a district heating network (a shared heat system for part of the village). It was found to be too expensive to run, and not cost-effective for residents.
What could work for local businesses
There is potential to install solar panels on the roofs of commercial buildings in Crick. These systems could be owned by a community organisation and funded by local investors. The businesses using the electricity would benefit from cheaper bills, while the profits from selling the power could be used to support other local energy projects.
A few local buildings have already been assessed as technically suitable. If these early examples prove successful, the scheme could expand to more sites in future.
What could work for residents
The study found that Crick has a lot of older homes with poor energy efficiency. Many homes rely on oil, bottled gas or electric heating. These are expensive and high in carbon emissions.
There are three practical options for households to consider:
- Installing rooftop solar panels. Up to 49 percent of homes in Crick are suitable. Group buying could reduce installation costs. Typical savings are £350 to £900 per year.
- Upgrading insulation. In particular, roof insulation was found to be a cost-effective option. These improvements can cut bills and make homes warmer.
- Switching to air source heat pumps. These are most effective for homes using electric heaters or bottled gas. Government grants of up to £7,500 are currently available.
Better Crick CIC could help make these improvements easier for residents by organising advice sessions, supporting grant applications, and helping to find reliable installers. We could also coordinate a group scheme for solar or heat pumps if there is enough interest.
share your ideas and take our survey
We are now asking residents and local businesses to share their views and suggestions. This feedback will help us decide which areas to focus on first, and how to plan any next steps.
Please take a few minutes to complete our short survey.