Our survey results are in

Results are in – thank you to everyone who took part and spread the word. The message is clear: residents strongly support independent heating and hot water, not a heat network.

The Pimlico Unites survey collected views from residents on the future of the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU). The responses reveal strong concerns around affordability, disruption, trust in the Council, and a desire for more control over heating and costs.

We already know that independent boilers are cheaper. We have compared two identical 3 bedroom flats on the Lillington and Longmoore estate, one which is connected to the PDHU and one which has an independent gas boiler. We have exposed that residents on the PDHU network are paying three times more for their heating and hot water than the flat using an independent gas boiler which is a staggering difference of just under 300% (see here for full comparison).

Pimlico Unites Survey Results, September 2025

Feedback highlights deep anxiety about huge bills, rent and tariff increases, and being “trapped in a flat I cannot sell with bills I cannot afford.”:

“I am very concerned about the proposed cost… it is only fair that the Council assumes financial responsibility for rectifying this, rather than passing the cost onto leaseholders.”

“The financial impact will be huge and potentially disastrous for all residents… it cannot be right that residents pay for improving the estate of WCC on this scale.”

“With this economy this cost for residents is clearly unsustainable. This should be 100% sponsored by Westminster. It’s terrifying to think that we would have to pay more for a project like that.”

Many describe the process as a “box ticking exercise.”

“The initial selection process amongst dozens of options was conducted with no transparency and no involvement of residents.”

“I worry that they are not getting full feedback that is representative of everyone on the estate and all the facts are not clear.”

“The lack of consultation has been criminal considering the costs to leaseholders of this work.”

Residents stress the importance of paying only for what they use:

“We all different people in the estates, old, young, some like hot some like cooler…I WANT TO OPT OUT, HAVE MY OWN SYSTEM.”

“Individual systems are paramount.”

“It makes so much sense to have individual heating and hot water in this day and age… Full Control – Residents control their own heating and hot water schedules, improving comfort and efficiency… Fair Billing – Pay only for what you use… Faster Repairs – Individual systems mean quicker servicing and no dependency on building-wide repairs.”

There are widespread concerns about damage and disruption:

“Having recently renovated my property I am concerned that any works will damage the flat… and I will be expected to cover the cost on top of the astronomic cost.”

“This is a BIG issue for leaseholders – a total disruption of living arrangements – and it seems to be on the back burner.”

“I feel they’ve ignored… the very real worries residents have consistently expressed about financial costs, disruption to our lives and wellbeing… preferring instead to go for a grand and expensive contractor-led massive major works project.”

“I am absolutely terrified about what the council are planning”

Many residents hold strongly negative views of the Council, describing it as “incompetent” or “negligent.”

“I get the impression this is just an attempt by the council to be seen to be making some action for bragging rights… disregarding the impossible cost to those it actually affects.”

“Looking at leaseholders to foot the bill for a problem that should be entirely the Council’s responsibility for years of underinvesting.”

“The council hasn’t explained why they haven’t maintained the system properly… The council has already made decision on options without a broad consultation.”

“WCC has been negligent in maintaining the PDHU… We don’t want to pay for the Council’s failure and negligence.”

Overall conclusion

Residents are deeply concerned about the financial burden, the scale of disruption, and a lack of genuine consultation. While many support the Council’s environmental goals, they are overwhelmingly opposed to being asked to shoulder unaffordable costs. The preference is clear: greater individual control over heating and billing, with fairness and transparency at the heart of decision-making.