Gold standard for Goldthorpe’s eco-friendly houses

The proposed homes in the Dearne Valley will have air source heat pumps for central heating and hot water, meaning they will have no gas supply.

Barnsley Council this week approved investment in paving the way for nine new council houses, using the first slice of the £23 million Towns Fund cash granted by the government last year.

Business cases for further Towns Fund projects, including the demolition of Goldthorpe’s Horse and Groom pub and the creation of a new town square, are still being finalised for publication in the spring, but £500,000 was released to get smaller schemes off the ground.

This funded the Horse and Groom’s demolition, with work on the new square due to start in the summer, and preparation of the former market site for a new housing development.

Building costs will be funded through Section 106 money made available by private housing developers to fund affordable housing, and from the income generated by council houses sold through tenants’ right to buy.

The properties will also include high levels of insulation and draught-proofing.

Cllr Alan Gardiner, a member of the Goldthorpe Town Board and its lead member for housing, said: “This is an extremely exciting time for the Dearne as we look forward to unveiling the Towns Fund projects we'll be outlining in the coming months.

“It’s fantastic news that the early support we’ve received from the Towns Fund already is allowing us to move forward with these plans for affordable, well designed, spacious and secure homes which will help reduce fuel poverty and provide a shining example of the sort of homes we want for Barnsley.

“The Towns Fund early investment will also allow us to begin work in the summer on a new town square and market right at the heart of Goldthorpe.”