Deputy Mayor Mete Coban Tours Camden Henderson Court Retrofit 2026

Key Points

• Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, toured Henderson Court, a Camden Council sheltered accommodation retrofit project, alongside Council Leader Councillor Richard Olszewski.​
• Henderson Court is a sheltered accommodation block in Camden comprising 72 flats (also reported as around 73 homes).
• The project installed solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, funded by Camden Council, completed in summer 2025.​
• The retrofit generates clean energy from rooftop solar panels, benefiting residents with improved energy efficiency, reduced bills, and lower carbon emissions.
• Mete Coban praised the initiative on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Great to visit Henderson Court in Camden, where around 73 homes are now benefiting from clean energy generated on their own roof.”​
• Coban further commended: “It’s councils like @CamdenCouncil showing real leadership in driving down energy bills.”​
• This visit aligns with Camden’s broader retrofit ambitions, including a trial for 3,000 council homes involving solar panels, battery storage, insulation, and heat pumps, costing £20.7 million upfront.​
• The larger scheme aims to save tenants money, combat damp and mould, and cut carbon emissions by 943 tonnes annually in the first phase.
• Funding for the wider project includes £11.2 million from the council, £9.5 million from an institutional investor, and potential Social Housing Fund Wave 3 grants.
• Camden’s Eco2026 plan involves tech prototypes for heat loss reduction and plans for solar and batteries in 10% of council homes, followed by insulation in 3,000 more.​

Camden, London (North London News) March 2, 2026 – Mete Coban, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, toured Henderson Court, Camden Council’s pioneering sheltered accommodation retrofit project, accompanied by Council Leader Councillor Richard Olszewski. The visit highlighted the successful completion of solar photovoltaic panel installations on the rooftop of the 72-flat block, funded entirely by the council and finished in summer 2025. This initiative exemplifies Camden’s commitment to greener housing, delivering clean energy directly to residents while slashing energy costs and carbon footprints.

What Happened During the Deputy Mayor’s Tour of Henderson Court?

The tour took place recently, with Mete Coban MBE visiting the Henderson Court site in Camden to inspect the retrofit works. As reported by Camden Council in their official news release, the Deputy Mayor was joined by Councillor Richard Olszewski to view the solar PV panels now powering the sheltered accommodation block. Henderson Court serves vulnerable residents in 72 flats, making the energy upgrades particularly impactful for energy efficiency in social housing.​

Mete Coban shared his impressions directly on X, posting:

“Great to visit Henderson Court in Camden, where around 73 homes are now benefiting from clean energy generated on their own roof.”

In a follow-up post, he added:

“It’s councils like @CamdenCouncil showing real leadership in driving down energy bills.”

These statements underscore the project’s role in London’s push for sustainable urban living.

No specific quotes from Councillor Richard Olszewski were detailed in the primary coverage of the tour, but his presence alongside Coban signals strong local leadership support for the retrofit efforts.​

What is Henderson Court and Why Was It Chosen for Retrofit?

Henderson Court is a dedicated sheltered accommodation block in the London Borough of Camden, housing 72 flats primarily for elderly or vulnerable residents requiring supported living. The council selected it for the retrofit due to its suitability for solar installations and the pressing need to improve energy performance in older social housing stock.​

The project involved installing solar photovoltaic panels on the roof, fully funded by Camden Council, with completion in summer 2025. This on-site generation allows residents to benefit from renewable energy, reducing reliance on the grid and lowering bills amid rising energy prices. As part of Camden’s wider strategy, such pilots test scalability for broader housing upgrades.

How Does the Solar Retrofit Benefit Residents at Henderson Court?

The solar PV panels at Henderson Court produce clean energy harvested directly from the rooftops, powering around 73 homes as per Deputy Mayor Coban’s account. This leads to immediate reductions in energy bills for tenants, enhanced energy efficiency, and a tangible cut in carbon emissions.

For sheltered accommodation residents, these upgrades address common issues like high fuel poverty and poor insulation in older buildings. Coban emphasised the leadership shown by Camden Council in “driving down energy bills,” positioning the project as a model for fairer, greener housing. Long-term, it contributes to healthier homes by mitigating damp and mould risks associated with inefficient properties.

What is Camden Council’s Broader Retrofit Ambition?

Camden Council is spearheading a “major retrofit” trial for 3,000 of its least energy-efficient council homes, announced in December 2024. As detailed in the council’s cabinet paper, the scheme kicks off with solar panels and battery storage installations, potentially expanding to heat pumps and insulation.

The upfront cost stands at £20.7 million, with a lifetime value of £68.2 million, part-funded by the council (£11.2 million) and an institutional investor acting as energy supplier (£9.5 million). Councillor Richard Olszewski, Council Leader, stated:

“We will invest in our tenants’ homes and enable them to save money on their energy bills, while also tackling the climate emergency. Retrofitting our council homes can help tackle many of the long-term problems too many of our tenants have faced, like damp and mould. Creating warm, energy efficient homes will help keep our residents warm and healthy and ensure the flats themselves are in a much better shape, for longer.”

If successful, the first phase alone could reduce Camden’s carbon emissions by 943 tonnes annually. The trial, set to begin around September 2025, involves close resident consultation via tenant associations.

Who is Funding the Camden Retrofit Projects?

Funding for Henderson Court came solely from Camden Council’s resources, demonstrating local commitment without external grants. For the 3,000-home trial, the model blends public and private investment: £11.2 million from the council and £9.5 million from an unnamed institutional investor who supplies the energy.​

Camden applied for the government’s Social Housing Fund (SHF) Wave 3 in November 2024, which could cover 25-50% of construction costs including design. Councillor Olszewski noted confidence in securing it, but affirmed the council would use its own funds to bridge any shortfall. Procurement for the investor partner was approved by cabinet on 11 December 2024.

What Role Does Deputy Mayor Mete Coban Play in London’s Green Agenda?

Mete Coban MBE serves as Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy, championing initiatives for a “fairer, greener London.” His tour of Henderson Court fits into a pattern of engagements, such as praising Peabody’s £10 million green regeneration in South Thamesmead, where he said:

“What I’ve seen in Thamesmead is an exemplary transformation. It’s an important investment in people’s mental wellbeing… This is an excellent example of local people co-designing spaces that work for them.”​

Coban’s visit to Camden reinforces City Hall’s support for borough-led retrofits, aligning with Mayor Sadiq Khan’s environmental goals. His public endorsements on social media amplify these local successes nationally.

How Does This Fit into Camden’s Eco2026 Plan?

Camden’s Eco2026 initiative outlines a “retrofit revolution” for draughty council housing, as covered by the Camden New Journal. It features tech prototypes to combat heat loss, with monitoring to enable rollout across the stock.​

The first wave targets solar panels and battery storage in 10% of council homes, followed by insulation and fabric upgrades in another 3,000 properties. Investor payback comes from tenant bill savings, creating a sustainable funding loop. Henderson Court serves as an early success story within this framework.

What Are the Next Steps for Resident Involvement?

Post-tour, Camden plans deeper engagement for the wider trial. The council and its investor partner will collaborate with residents and associations to refine plans and highlight benefits. Tenants in pilot homes can opt in after reviewing their energy usage and gains.

Cabinet approval on 11 December 2024 greenlit procurement, with resident input prioritised before installations ramp up. For Henderson Court, the focus shifts to monitoring performance and resident feedback on the live solar system.​

Why Are Retrofit Projects Crucial for Camden’s Housing Crisis?

Camden faces acute challenges with energy-inefficient stock exacerbating fuel poverty and climate impacts. Retrofitting tackles damp, mould, and high bills, fostering healthier homes as Olszewski highlighted.

In context, this dovetails with other council efforts like new hostels on Camden Road and Chester Road, topping out in February 2026 to provide 89 temporary units amid London’s 175,000 temporary accommodation crisis. Leader Olszewski joined celebrations there, emphasising secure housing responses.