A project to improve some of Derby’s least energy-efficient Council homes has scooped a prestigious industry award.

Derby Homes - the Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) that manages Derby City Council’s housing stock - was recognised for its work by winning the Best Carbon Reduction Project of the Year at a recent Building Communities Awards ceremony.

The Allenton Cast Iron project has transformed what were some of the Council’s least energy-efficient homes with a range of measures, significantly reducing the risk of fuel poverty in these households. 

The cast-iron council homes in Allenton are thought to be Derby’s oldest. They were built after the First World War using an innovative technique to address the housing shortage.

The walls of the houses were constructed from 3ft square iron plates, bolted together, earning them the nickname of “Tank Houses”. Derby was the first local authority to use this method of building on a large scale.

But the age and construction of the houses made them cold, expensive to heat and energy inefficient – with an EPC rating of band D or below.

In 2022 Derby City Council was awarded funding from the Government’s Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to make major upgrades on the Allenton homes which included external wall insulation, alongside new windows, and doors.

The result was warmer homes, lower bills and fewer carbon emissions.

In total, 80 homes have been improved as part of a £3 million project, with further properties to be completed soon.

Following the work done on the cast iron homes, the Energy Trust estimates that total energy bill savings are around £43,200 per year - an average saving of £540 per household.

Phase 1 alone saves 72.8 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere each year. 

The EPC rating of most properties has improved by two levels. When the project completes, almost all council housing will be at least Band C (EPC), well ahead of the Government’s 2030 target.

Councillor Shiraz Khan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Property and Regulatory Services said:

 This project is intended to make homes better for the people who live in them, improving energy efficiency and reducing the risk of fuel poverty.

While we are delighted to win this award, which recognises our commitment to providing warm, decent homes that don’t cost the earth, the real winners here are our tenants. Our work is already making a real difference for struggling families.

Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, added:

It’s great to see more work being done to improve the energy efficiency of our housing stock, and winning this award is a great achievement.

This excellent work will lead to a big reduction in our emissions each year, and I look forward to seeing more green improvements in the future.

In addition to the insulation, 70 nesting boxes have also been installed at the properties to help the endangered swift population, which is on the UK Red List of birds of highest conservation concern.

Shaun Bennett, Director of Property at Derby Homes added:

A huge congratulations to colleagues who were nominated, finalists and winners.

It was great to celebrate our achievements in the housing and construction industry.This work is so desperately needed. With the high cost-of-living, it’s important that we keep all that precious energy within the home.The work we have carried out at these homes will enable that to happen. 

I’m incredibly proud to be part of these innovative, forward-thinking projects and I’m excited to see how this changes the landscape of social housing for the better.

The Building Communities Awards, hosted by procurement consortium EEM Ltd, recognises and celebrates achievements in the housing and construction community.

Entries were judged by a panel of judges with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the relevant sectors.