Rotherham Council has received national recognition for a ground-breaking, energy-efficient housing scheme that has had a transformative effect on residents’ lives in East Herringthorpe.
The development, which delivered ten high-quality, affordable homes, was named the Best Affordable Housing Development (up to £5m) at The Northern Housing Awards 2025.
As part of the Council’s wider ambition to deliver an additional 1,000 homes across the borough by 2027, the East Herringthorpe scheme pushes the boundaries in terms of sustainability and innovation.
Built by local contractors R H Fullwood & Co Ltd. the homes, include Air Source Heat Pumps and solar panels to help residents cut their energy bills. Other features include under-floor heating, mechanical ventilation and heat recovery to improve air quality and comfort, while keeping running costs low.
The scheme includes the Council’s first one-bed houses and a four-bed ‘dormer’ style bungalow designed to meet the needs of a households with complex health challenges.
For residents, the impact has been deeply personal, one commenting: “This move has improved my mental health, decreased my anxiety, and reduced my bills - it’s life changing.”
Another, who has mobility issues, said: “This home has changed everything. I can now move around freely and no longer feel embarrassed having visitors. It’s given my children their childhood back.”
Ian Spicer, Strategic Director of Adult Care, Housing and Public Health, said: “In 2018 we made a commitment to support our residents with their housing needs by providing an additional 1,000 affordable council homes for local people to rent by 2027 and we will deliver on this.
“These homes are well-built and designed to be affordable to run, which is vital as households face rising energy costs.
“This award is testament to the hard work and commitment of all those involved in the development, but the biggest achievement is the impact that the homes are having on the tenants.”
Northern Housing Awards judges said the development had a great impact for such a modest investment. The range of house sizes and types was impressive with a clear sustainable element to make this scheme stand out from the rest of the projects entered for this award.
