The Doncaster Central Development Trust CIC has welcomed its first influx of new families to its eco friendly homes. The trust has given nine houses in Doncaster an environmentally-friendly makeover and is searching for community minded tenants to nurture the renovated homes. More are to be improved this year.
Solar panels, extensive insulation and air source heat pu
mps are now as much part of everyday life in these households as recycling bins and energy saving light bulbs. The homes, located in the town centre Hexthorpe, Balby and Hyde Park have been renovated to a high standard.
The Trust aims to show other landlords how making changes to their houses can help save the planet, by reducing energy use – a major selling point to attract good tenants. The first houses are currently being made into homes by three selected tenants.
Malgorzata Szulzyk, 29, recently moved into a two-bedroom house on Jarratt Street, Doncaster, with her 17-month-old son Rafael. She said: “Getting this house has been the best thing that has ever happened to me – it’s a dream come true. Using solar panels for energy is a really good idea to help people save money on their fuel bills. It’s a good investment not just for the house but for our environmental future.”
Natalie Cann, 18, has moved into a property on Prospect Place with her 10-month-old daughter Hayley-Jayne. Natalie was considered a suitable tenant after she volunteered to do community work in the neighbourhood. She said: “I already consider myself environmentally friendly and try to follow tips such as turning off the tap when you brush your teeth and recycling waste. This house means I can take that a few steps further. I think the solar panels are a particularly good idea and the fact the house is run entirely on electricity and not gas as this helps reduce my bills.
“I hope that the Trust’s new environmentally friendly houses encourage my neighbours to modify their own homes. It’s achievable financially because you earn the money back. I hope houses like these become more common because it’s better for the environment and sets the standard for the next generation.”
Kamil Bera rents an environmentally-friendly home on Hexthorpe Road, Doncaster, with his sister Caroline. He said: “I think the eco homes are a brilliant idea because it’s useful for me and the environment. I also think the houses are good for the neighbourhood because they raise the bar and will hopefully inspire neighbours to invest in this type of technology.”
Therese Kennedy, Vice Chair of the Trust, said: “After all the planning and hard work the Trust has invested into renovating and converting these first 9 houses into state-of-the-art eco homes, we are really pleased to welcome our first three families. “In many cases we have taken on previously empty houses that had a negative impact on their area. What we have now are homes which set the standard for ‘green’ living and are an innovative focal point for the area. We really want to attract tenants who not only appreciate the environmental benefits of their new homes, but who will use them to their full potential. We also hope other landlords and home owners take notice and are inspired to find ways of reducing their property’s carbon footprint.”
