North Star's first net-zero housing scheme praised by MP

We're very pleased to have completed our first net-zero housing development in Eldon Street, Darlington.

Darlington MP Lola McEvoy officially opened the scheme and described it as a model for the country to follow. The scheme provides 12 affordable, energy-efficient homes (eight two-bedroomed and four three-bedroomed houses) for social rent on the site of a former snooker hall. Thanks to the technology used to build and run the homes, energy costs will be below £100 per year. 

All of the homes have generous space standards, as well as being easily accessible and adaptable if there are any future mobility issues. 

The MP said: “In Darlington and across the country, there is a need for high-quality, gold standard builds like this, but there is a doubt among ordinary people about whether they can be delivered. 

“What North Star has done here in Darlington is to provide me with a great case study to go back to Westminster and say we need more contracts like this. 

“Seeing such high-quality homes delivered at such pace is a real joy because it shows we have a model to fill some of the social gaps. Having a safe, efficient home provides the stability for people to dream bigger and we need to see more of it.” 

The brownfield regeneration scheme cost £2.8m, with grant support of £1.1m from Homes England, and attracted more than 100 applications through Darlington HomeSearch, underlining the demand for high-quality affordable homes.  

Construction work began in March last year and tenancies will begin next month, with rents for the two-bedroomed homes costing £110 per week and £123 for the three-bedroomed homes.  

Net zero carbon emissions have been achieved through a range of energy-efficient measures including: 

• Structural Insulated Panel construction to reduce waste and maximise thermal efficiency. 
• Air source heat pumps in the rear yards. 
• Photovoltaic roof panels. 
• Battery storage to capture unused electricity from the solar panels. 
• Extra-thick loft insulation. 
• Shower savers to reuse some heat from waste water. 
• Electric vehicle chargers. 
• Weather sensors linked to smart energy management systems. 

David Walker, a North Star board member with 40 years’ experience in construction, described the scheme as “a fabulous development that shows what North Star is really good at”. 

“This is a shining example of what we want to do at North Star – provide high-quality housing, with the highest level of energy efficiency and lowest running costs, all at social rent. 

“It is testament to the value of having great partners alongside our own incredible development team.” 

Homes England, the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, welcomed the development, with Director of Affordable Housing, Shahi Islam, saying: “Increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting ambitious housebuilders of all sizes to build those homes and communities. 

“This investment through the Affordable Homes Programme allows our partners and registered providers to do just that. It has enabled North Star to build 12 much needed new homes the people of Darlington can be proud of.” 

Davie Aston, co-owner of North East-based construction company, Aston Walker, said: “North Star has been fantastic to work with – how they have supported us as an SME has been second to none. 

“It’s been great to work with an organisation with the vision to deliver a scheme like this. Sustainability is close to our hearts and it’s a pleasure to help deliver these high-quality new homes for Darlington.” 

David McKellar, of Stockton-based HMH Architects, added: “North Star was so keen to make this scheme net zero and to deliver real, sustainable benefits on behalf of the local community. It’s definitely a project at the forefront of the affordable housing market in terms of sustainability.” 

The site, off North Road, in Darlington had stood derelict until the proposal was introduced to North Star by Incrementum UK and North East Property Investment. The scheme also used RNJ Construction Consultants, Portland Consulting Engineers, and NEECO Ltd, Durham. Local tradespeople were also used wherever possible.