Westminster Council's Housing and Regeneration Policy and Scrutiny Committee has reviewed a controversial cabinet decision regarding the future of the Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU) following a call-in by three councillors.
The call-in, triggered by Councillors Paul Fisher, David Harvey, and Ralu Oteh-Osoka, centred on concerns that the cabinet's decision lacked sufficient information, particularly regarding electrical infrastructure costs, optimisation biases, and the consideration of alternative heating solutions. The original decision, approved on 16 October 2025, concerned the 'Future of Pimlico District Heating Undertaking (PDHU) - Outcome of Initial Outline Business Case Analysis'.
At a meeting on Thursday 20 November 2025, the committee heard detailed responses to the concerns raised. Councillor Lisa Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, explained that the council had been exploring various options to ensure residents have reliable, affordable, and low-carbon heating. She noted that the current system is well past its intended lifespan and is becoming increasingly expensive and unreliable to maintain.
Councillor Begum also clarified that the cabinet had approved a shortlist of options to be developed further: On 16 October 2025, having agreed a shortlist made up of four highest scoring options, along with the best performing direct electric option, this has allowed the project to move into the next phase, where each of these options will be developed in more detail, technically, financially and commercially.
Councillor Ryan Jude, Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Colleging, Corpinoff and Air Quality, added that the cabinet decision was an important step to obtain necessary information and find the most affordable and deliverable solution. He acknowledged the stress the project is causing residents, emphasising the need to address the aging heating system. Councillor Jude also highlighted the potential impact of upcoming government regulations on heat networks, stating that as the PDHU ages, meeting these requirements will become increasingly challenging.
Debbie Jackson, the Executive Director of Regeneration Economy and Planning at the Council, summarised a report prepared for the committee, stating that it addressed the concerns raised in the call-in. She maintained that the original cabinet report was comprehensive and provided the necessary information for the cabinet to make its decision.
Councillor Jim Glen raised concerns about the consideration of genuinely different options, suggesting a more flexible approach that considers the unique needs of different areas within Pimlico. He questioned whether the project had truly moved beyond the mindset of simply replacing the existing PDHU system like-for-like.
Councillor Regan Hook (Deputy Cabinet Member - Public Protection and Animal Welfare Champion) highlighted the potential repercussions of delaying the project, including increased repair costs and further disruption to residents. She also noted upcoming government regulations on heat networks, which could pose challenges for the aging PDHU system.
Following the discussion, the committee voted on whether to refer the decision back to the cabinet for reconsideration. Ultimately, the majority voted to take no further action, allowing the original cabinet decision to stand. This means the project will proceed to the next phase, where the shortlisted options will be developed in more detail.
The PDHU Cabinet Call In Report provided detailed responses to the councillors' concerns, including breakdowns of electrical infrastructure costs and explanations of the optimism biases used. It also addressed concerns about alternative heating solutions, such as ambient loop Ground Source Heat Pumps (GSHP) and Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs).
The Public Reports Pack for the meeting included the cabinet report and supporting documents, providing further information on the project's background, policy context, and financial implications. The Agenda outlined the meeting's agenda and the matters to be discussed.