LPG Committee reduces Gas Price

Power to the People: How the Heathfield Estate Beat the Energy Giants

By Eric Leeson – Secretary, Heathfield LPG Low Price Committee

It started with a radar gun and a moment of genuine shock.

Last October, during a routine Community Speed Watch session, George McLaren-Brown struck up a conversation with a fellow volunteer. The topic turned to the soaring cost of energy. When the volunteer mentioned he was paying just 50p per litre for the LPG tank in his garden, George was stunned.

At that moment, the 108 households on the Heathfield metered estate were being charged 72p per litre plus VAT by Calor. Despite being part of a massive, 10-tank underground "bulk" system, we were paying significantly more than individuals with a single tank in their driveway. In the current global climate, one can only guess how much higher Calor intended to turn the dial.

For eight years, Calor had gradually ratcheted up the estate’s gas prices, seemingly because they could. As individual households, residents felt they had no choice but to accept these "stealth" increases. We were a captive market—until the Committee stepped in.

Recognising this injustice, George formed the Heathfield LPG Low Price Committee, recruiting myself as Secretary and Stephen Parish to manage a complex residents' database. Our mission was simple: Total Unity. We utilised the formal Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) process, which gives residents on metered estates the statutory right to switch suppliers as a collective. We weren't just a group of neighbours anymore; we were a legally mandated "buying block."

The path to victory was nearly derailed by corporate stonewalling. Despite having a 100% mandate from every household, Calor initially refused to engage. In February, the Committee was forced to go "nuclear," issuing a scathing Executive Escalation to the Calor CEO and leadership team.

The ultimatum was clear: engage now or face a formal referral to Liquid Gas UK, a consultation with our local MP, and a total commercial exit to a competitor.

The effect was instantaneous. After months of silence and "blocked" executive emails, Calor broke their silence the very next day. The corporate brick wall had finally been breached.

We didn’t just wait for Calor to react; we went to the market. We contacted major competitors including Flogas and AvantiGas. Every single supplier indicated rates below 50p per litre, proving that our 72p rate was never "market-driven"—it was simply the price of not having a collective voice.

Calor underestimated our resolve. To ensure our "buying group" was legally watertight, the Committee conducted six separate rounds of door-knocking across the estate, supported by urgent appeals on Audlem Online (AOL) and the Heathfield Facebook group.

Faced with a totally united front and the credible threat of 108 homes walking away, Calor finally capitulated. We have now secured:

The New Negotiated Rate: 49p + VAT per litre (Fixed until March 2028).
The Standing Charge: Successfully held at 16.44p per day.

For a typical household, this represents a 32% saving—putting roughly £400 a year back into the pockets of our residents.

The "Price Shield"

As our new deal commences this April, global energy markets are already skyrocketing. While others face a volatile pricing rollercoaster, Heathfield residents are now protected behind a two-year "Price Shield."

The victory doesn’t end here. We have established a permanent, organised collective. We intend to revisit the market in 18 months’ time to ensure we are always one step ahead.

Our message to other communities in Audlem is simple: Don't accept the "standard" rate as inevitable. Hold their feet to the flame, and even the biggest giants will have to listen.

Heathfield LPG – Low Price Committee

Chairman George McLaren-Brown gmacbrown@hotmail.com

Secretary Eric Leeson eleeson2@gmail.com

Technical Lead Stephen Parish stevesueparish@gmail.com