Homes go green

CONTRACTORS and council housing bosses have teamed up to give a lucky residents an eco-friendly £150,000 makeover.

Bramall Construction and 2010 Rotherham Ltd joined forces for the scheme as part of a Government pilot project.

Six council homes in Wath Road, Brampton Bierlow, have been given an overhaul in a bid to improve their energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

Work included improvements to insulation and the installation of solar thermal tubes to generate electricity and hot water.

Other features included double and triple glazed windows and mechanical ventilation systems to improve air quality.

Shirley and Melvyn Dalton, who have lived in their home for 38 years, said: “We have already noticed a real difference with the heating and level of noise.

“It’s almost like having a new home. We’re looking forward to seeing how much of a difference the work will make to our energy bills, particularly during the winter months.”

Funding for the £150,000 project came from the £17 million Retrofit for the Future competition.

The competition was launched by the Technology Strategy Board— a business-led public body, set up by the Government to promote and support research into innovation.

It is sponsored by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

The project in Brampton was one of 86 that received funding and the work was carried out by 2010 Rotherham in partnership with Bramall Construction.

Neil Baxter, managing director at Bramall, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in the delivery of this programme in the town.

“It’s great that Rotherham is leading the way when it comes to ensuring that its existing housing contributes towards meeting the Government’s carbon emissions reduction targets.”

The Government has set a target for an 80 per cent cut in carbon emissions from buildings by 2050.

Pic: L-r  back: Shirley Dalton, Graham Eades, chief executive of 2010 Rotherham, and Melvyn Dalton.