Plane used to study energy loss

Haringey has developed a range of measures to tackle climate change

A council is sending up an aeroplane fitted with military technology to determine the level of energy loss in a north London borough.

Haringey Council commissioned a plane carrying a thermal infrared sensor for an aerial study of its properties last month.

The study will help reveal energy loss from every building in the borough.

The study was conducted through an plane flying 1,500 feet above ground level.

'Climate change'

"We would urge those households which are shown to be losing excessive energy to consider installing better insulation and employing other energy saving techniques," said Councillor Isidoros Diakides.

"This will not only save money in fuel bills, but can also make a significant contribution to tackling climate change."

The cost of the project, including building a website as part of the research, was said to be less than £21,000.

It is hoped the study will also identify homes whose occupiers are too poor to be able to afford to heat them.

Justin Hinchcliffe, chairman of Tottenham Conservatives, said: "The council does tend however to do big, grand schemes but then ignores smaller ones such as recycling.

"If it is a positive thing however (the Conservatives) would clearly welcome it, especially as it is for the environment."