Historic Headingley villas get low-carbon heating as part of £5m restoration
Two historic 19th Century villas in Far Headingley are undergoing a major restoration and will soon be heated by an ultra-efficient ground source heat pump system as part of efforts to futureproof the landmark buildings.
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Leeds-based Pickard Properties is installing the low-carbon system at Moor Grange and Moorfield Lodge, which sit at the heart of its Spinning Acres development.
The technology, designed and manufactured by Kensa, will deliver renewable heat and hot water to the homes while preserving the villas’ architectural character.
Miles Pickard, Director of Pickard Properties, said the project shows how “heritage and sustainability can, and should, go hand in hand”.
“We’re breathing new life into these remarkable buildings while making them sustainable and efficient for future generations,” he said.
“These homes will be part of our long-term rental portfolio, so we want them to be energy-efficient, comfortable and environmentally responsible without compromising their historic beauty.”
The ground source system uses 110-metre-deep boreholes to capture stable year-round heat from the earth, which is then circulated through a shared ground array to supply the villas.
Kensa has installed nearly 20,000 such systems across the UK and says the technology has already helped save more than one million tonnes of carbon emissions.
“It’s fantastic to see sustainable heating being integrated into buildings of such architectural and historical importance,” said Iain Carr, Pre-Construction Director at Kensa.
“Our systems are designed to deliver reliable, low-carbon heat while being sympathetic to heritage properties. This collaboration with Pickard Properties shows how innovation can protect the past while delivering a greener future.”
The installation forms part of a £5m refurbishment that will see Moor Grange converted into six apartments and two houses, with Moorfield Lodge set to provide a further six apartments. The work is being delivered by Weetwood-based C&AJ Marshall Builders as part of Pickard’s wider £40m investment at Spinning Acres, a redevelopment of a former University of Leeds estate.
Both villas hold a prominent place in Far Headingley’s history. Moorfield Lodge was built on land granted to cloth merchant George Bischoff in 1829, while Moor Grange was once home to pioneering surgeon Professor Arthur Mayo-Robson and later became part of Tetley Hall. Their restoration is intended to anchor the evolving Spinning Acres community, which blends historic architecture with new homes and green space.
Pickard says the project reflects its long-term strategy to create a sustainable neighbourhood that respects the area’s heritage while introducing modern energy systems to reduce environmental impact.