Leeds community sports club could be heated by crematorium under new plan
A community sports club in Leeds could see its long-term heating bills slashed through a new eco-led partnership with a proposed crematorium that would recycle excess heat to warm its facilities.
The initiative from Horizon Cremation and Oulton Community Sports Club would pump surplus heat from a planned crematorium off Methley Lane to the club’s changing rooms, bar, and function spaces.
Dave Beane, chairman at Oulton Community Sports Club, said the partnership will provide a “major boost” to the club’s facilities. “The energy-saving proposals, sponsorship, and planning support will allow us to reduce costs, invest in our facilities, and expand the opportunities we can offer to our members and the wider community,” he added.
Announcing the partnership, the specialist crematorium provider said it could potentially save the club thousands of pounds in energy costs over the long term.
Alongside energy savings, the partnership provides sponsorship, promotional support, and expert consultancy to help the club expand its community offerings.
Subject to planning approval, the proposed heat transfer system would capture excess heat generated at the crematorium and repurpose it to heat the club. Heat would be pumped around 300 metres underground between the sites and has the capacity to “significantly” reduce energy consumption and running costs for the club, the company claimed.
The initiative follows similar schemes in the city, such as the Leeds PIPES District Heating Network, led by Leeds City Council, which supplies homes and businesses with low-carbon heat. In York, a similar proposal could see excess heat from a planned data centre used to heat York Community Stadium’s swimming pool.
Stephen Byfield, Director at Horizon Cremation, said: “From meeting with the sports club, I know first-hand how important their facility is for the wider community. By repurposing heat, we’re reducing our environmental impact and helping the sports club cut energy costs so it can continue to thrive.
“It is important that we can now secure planning approval from Leeds City Council to deliver on this exciting partnership.”
Horizon Cremation’s planning application remains open for public comment until Monday, March 23, via Leeds City Council’s planning portal.