Rotherham Council’s Cllr Sarah Allen joined partners RH Fullwood & Co Ltd at the end of March to celebrate the completion of ten new affordable, energy saving homes in East Herringthorpe .
The development marks the latest milestone in the Council’s ambitious Housing Delivery Programme, and pledge to deliver hundreds of new high-quality homes across the borough by 2026.
The scheme comprises of four small brownfield sites which were once home to Council garages, and now boast new homes which will meet a range of needs, including the Council’s first one-bed houses and a four-bed ‘dormer’ style bungalow for households with acute health requirements.
All the new homes will be available for Council rent to residents who meet the eligibility criteria.
Whilst the Council has already delivered hundreds of new energy efficient homes, the energy efficiency standards of the East Herringthorpe development are the most ambitious so far.
All ten homes will receive heating and hot water via Air Source Heat Pumps and feature solar panels to self-generate energy, helping reduce energy bills.
Additional measures include under-floor heating and mechanical ventilation and heat recovery (MVHR) to further improve the efficiency of the heating system, improve air quality and reduce condensation.
Modern Methods of Construction (timber frames) were also used to enhance the pace of build, meaning that the first new homes were ready for occupation just nine months after work began. The shorter build period also helped to mitigate against the impact of the development on the local community.
Cllr Sarah Allen, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Working said: “The Council are committed to building homes which are affordable and low cost to run in light of the cost of living pressures. But in addition to that, the houses are superb quality, both inside and out, and will make fantastic homes for people with a variety of housing needs.”
Facilitated through the EN:Procure new build framework, the Council worked with RH Fullwood & Co Ltd, a multi-disciplinary construction contractor which focuses on delivery of homes in Yorkshire and Humberside.
Director of R H Fullwood, Guy Fullwood said: “We are proud to be part of the team that delivered these properties. We used the works as an opportunity to recruit locally and utilise supply chain partners from the Rotherham area in order to ensure that the Rotherham pound is spent back in the borough.”
Emma Mottram, director of operations at EN:Procure, said: “It’s fantastic to see such ambitious new homes being delivered via our frameworks. We aim to ensure accessing the right contractors is as seamless as possible, and this project is exemplary in showcasing how best practice in procurement leads to the best outcomes on site.
“The sustainability credentials of this scheme are exceptional, and we hope to work together with the council on similar projects in the future.”
The scheme marks the latest development in the Council’s major housing investment programme and is being supported by a Brownfield Housing Fund grant from the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority, provided as part of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund.
Since January 2018, the Council has delivered 518 new homes for Council rent or shared ownership, with a further 112 currently under construction or in the process of being purchased.
