Haringey Carbon Fund Funds Old Station Upgrades at Alexandra Park 2026

Key Points

• Alexandra Park and Palace has received £37,870 from Haringey Council’s Community Carbon Fund (Year 4 funding).
• The funding supports the borough’s Net Zero Haringey 2041 commitment.
• The grant targets improvements to the Old Station Building, a Victorian structure in Alexandra Park used as a community hub since the 1980s.
• CUFOS (Community Use For the Old Station), a volunteer group of local residents, manages the building and has run community activities there for over 40 years.
• Funds will install secondary glazing using hard-coat e-glass on windows and roof lights to boost thermal performance, cut draughts, and retain heat.
• Expected annual CO₂e savings: 398 kg.
• Benefits include greater comfort, thermal efficiency for volunteers and groups, and lower energy bills.
• Listed Building Consent has been obtained.
• Works scheduled to start in March 2026 and finish by April 2026.
• Mark Evison, Head of Park and Environmental Sustainability at Alexandra Park and Palace, praised the fund for enabling practical carbon reductions.

Haringey, (North London News) February 19, 2026 – Alexandra Park and Palace has secured £37,870 from Haringey Council’s Community Carbon Fund, Year 4, to fund vital carbon-reducing upgrades at the historic Old Station Building. This grant reinforces the borough’s drive towards Net Zero Haringey 2041 by backing community-led initiatives that yield widespread environmental gains across Haringey. The funding will finance secondary glazing installations on the building’s windows and roof lights, projecting annual savings of 398 kg CO₂e while enhancing comfort and slashing energy costs for users.

What Funding Has Haringey Council Provided?

The Haringey Community Carbon Fund, now in its fourth year, has awarded Alexandra Park and Palace £37,870 specifically for retrofitting the Old Station Building.

This Victorian gem in Alexandra Park has served as a community hub since the 1980s, managed by CUFOS – Community Use For the Old Station – a dedicated volunteer group of local residents. For more than four decades, CUFOS has hosted diverse community activities within its walls, making it a cornerstone of local engagement.

The grant targets precise environmental upgrades: installation of secondary glazing using hard-coat e-glass across windows and roof lights. These modifications aim to sharpen thermal performance, eliminate draughts, and trap heat more effectively.

Beyond emissions cuts, the project promises heightened comfort and efficiency for volunteers and community groups, alongside meaningful reductions in energy bills. Haringey Council’s initiative underscores its broader pledge to Net Zero Haringey 2041, prioritising projects that deliver collective benefits for the borough’s residents.

Why Target the Old Station Building for Upgrades?

The Old Station Building stands as a unique Victorian structure nestled in Alexandra Park, cherished for its historical allure and community role.

Since the 1980s, it has functioned as a vibrant hub under CUFOS stewardship, with local volunteers organising events, workshops, and gatherings for over 40 years. This longevity highlights its indispensable status in fostering neighbourhood ties.

Upgrades focus on energy efficiency without compromising its heritage status. Secondary glazing with hard-coat e-glass will fortify insulation, directly tackling heat loss through windows and roof lights.

The intervention aligns with practical sustainability, projecting 398 kg CO₂e savings annually – a tangible step towards borough-wide net zero ambitions. Moreover, Listed Building Consent has been duly secured, ensuring compliance with preservation standards while advancing green goals.

When Will the Carbon-Cutting Works Begin?

Preparations are well advanced, with works slated to commence in March 2026 and conclude by April 2026. This tight timeline reflects efficient planning between Alexandra Park and Palace, CUFOS volunteers, and Haringey Council.

The prompt rollout minimises disruption to ongoing community activities, allowing the building to resume full operations swiftly post-upgrade.

The schedule’s feasibility stems from pre-obtained Listed Building Consent, clearing regulatory hurdles early. By spring 2026, the secondary glazing should be fully installed, delivering immediate gains in thermal efficiency and user comfort.

This phased approach exemplifies how targeted funding can translate into rapid environmental progress.

How Significant Are the Projected CO₂ Savings?

The upgrades promise a yearly reduction of 398 kg CO₂e, a modest yet meaningful contribution to Haringey’s net zero trajectory. Hard-coat e-glass secondary glazing directly combats heat escape, draughts, and inefficiency, amplifying the building’s overall performance.

These savings, while site-specific, aggregate within the Community Carbon Fund’s portfolio to drive borough-level impact.

Additional perks extend to occupants: volunteers and community groups will enjoy warmer interiors, fewer draughts, and trimmed energy bills.

This trifecta – emissions cuts, comfort boosts, and cost savings – positions the project as a model for scalable retrofits in heritage sites. The fund’s emphasis on quantifiable outcomes ensures accountability and replicability.

What Role Does CUFOS Play in the Project?

CUFOS, or Community Use For the Old Station, comprises local residents who have volunteered at the Old Station Building for over four decades.

This grassroots group sustains the venue as a community hub, hosting activities that enrich Haringey life since the 1980s. Their stewardship has preserved the Victorian structure’s vitality amid evolving needs.

The grant empowers CUFOS to modernise without relinquishing its community focus. Enhanced thermal efficiency will support year-round programming, from workshops to events, in a more sustainable setting. Volunteers stand to gain directly from improved conditions, reinforcing their long-term commitment.

How Does This Fit Haringey’s Net Zero 2041 Goal?

Haringey Council’s Community Carbon Fund (Year 4) champions projects like this to realise Net Zero Haringey 2041. By funding community-led efforts, it fosters collective environmental benefits, from emissions reductions to resilient infrastructure.

The Old Station initiative exemplifies this strategy, blending heritage preservation with green innovation.

Such grants mobilise local actors – councils, parks authorities, and volunteers – towards shared objectives. The fund’s structure prioritises measurable impacts, ensuring taxpayer pounds yield verifiable progress. This aligns with wider UK efforts to decarbonise public and community spaces.

What Has Mark Evison Said About the Funding?

As reported in the original announcement, Mark Evison, Head of Park and Environmental Sustainability at Alexandra Park and Palace, stated:

“Support from Haringey’s Community Carbon Fund enables us to deliver targeted projects like this one, improving energy performance while making the building more efficient for year-round community use. Funding of this kind is vital in helping us make practical carbon reductions across the Park and Palace, and we’re grateful to Haringey Council for supporting environmental improvements that benefit the communities we serve and the wider borough.”

Evison’s remarks highlight the fund’s catalytic role in actionable sustainability. He emphasises dual gains: technical upgrades and enhanced usability. Gratitude to Haringey Council underscores collaborative ethos driving these efforts.

Why Is Listed Building Consent Crucial Here?

Securing Listed Building Consent was pivotal, safeguarding the Old Station’s Victorian integrity during modifications. This approval validates the secondary glazing as heritage-compatible, balancing preservation with progress. Without it, the project risked stalling amid regulatory scrutiny.

The consent facilitates March 2026 works, ensuring swift implementation. It reassures stakeholders – from CUFOS volunteers to council overseers – of due diligence. Such precedents encourage similar retrofits in Haringey’s protected structures.

What Broader Impact Will This Have on the Community?

Enhanced energy performance at the Old Station Building will ripple through Alexandra Park’s community fabric. CUFOS-led activities, sustained for 40 years, gain a future-proofed venue, promoting inclusivity and resilience. Reduced bills free resources for programming, amplifying outreach.

Haringey’s Net Zero 2041 vision benefits from these micro-wins, aggregating towards macro change. Volunteers experience tangible uplifts in comfort, fostering sustained engagement. The project models how funds like Year 4’s Community Carbon Fund empower locals to lead on climate action.

How Does This Reflect Haringey Council’s Priorities?

Haringey Council’s allocation via the Community Carbon Fund signals firm commitment to Net Zero Haringey 2041. Prioritising community-led projects ensures grassroots buy-in and tailored solutions. The £37,870 grant to Alexandra Park and Palace demonstrates responsiveness to heritage sites’ unique challenges.

By supporting CUFOS and similar groups, the council nurtures civic stewardship. Year 4 funding builds on prior rounds, evidencing sustained investment. This approach not only cuts carbon but fortifies community infrastructure against climate pressures.

In a borough rich with historic assets, such initiatives bridge past and future. The Old Station’s upgrades, from draught-proofing to efficiency gains, exemplify pragmatic environmentalism. As works unfold in spring 2026, they promise enduring value for Haringey residents.