North Star creates 'gold star' green homes
23 July 2025
North Star is a founder member of the Darlington Employers’ Environmental Partnership, nearly 50 businesses working together to share good practice.
An energy-efficient housing project on the site of a former snooker club has been welcomed by Darlington MP Lola McEvoy as a “gold star” development fulfilling an urgent need.
North Star Housing Group bought the site in Eldon Street, Darlington, in March, leading to the demolition of the former snooker and pool club, along with a car park and small community hall.
The site had been empty since August 2022 and contractor Aston Walker is now constructing 12 low carbon terraced houses on the site, with the £2.7m project scheduled to be completed next Spring.
The start of the new build was marked by a visit from Ms McEvoy, who said: “This is a gold star build by a gold star housing association. It is fulfilling an urgent need and it’s great to see it taking shape.”
Each home will be constructed using Structural Insulated Panels (SIP), with air source heat pumps, solar panels, under-floor heating, and high levels of roof insulation.
Solar batteries, connected to the solar panels, will be mounted on external walls to make the properties more energy efficient, and electric charging points will also be linked to the solar panel system.
The development, supported by a £1,080,000 grant from Homes England, will comprise four three-bedroomed houses, and eight two-bedroomed houses.
Ms McEvoy added: “North Star has shown great leadership in securing the first tranche of Government funding for this type of development, and going above and beyond to make sure the latest energy-efficient technology is maximized. The Government is committed to building 1.5 million new homes and has allocated £39 billion to building social and affordable housing in England over the next decade, so developments like this are part of that bigger picture.”
The MP also welcomed the fact that Aston Walker is committed to using as many Darlington tradespeople as possible. Nathan Walker, director of Aston Walker, said: “It’s fantastic to be working in collaboration with North Star on such a great regeneration project, using innovative technology to help towards achieving net zero.”
North Star chief executive James Walder said: “It is a key part of our strategy to develop net zero schemes, and we are delighted to get this opportunity to provide more energy-efficient homes in a part of Darlington where we have a proud track record of regeneration.”
A spokesperson for Homes England added: “As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, 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 does just that, enabling North Star Housing Group to build 12 much needed new homes the people of Darlington can be proud of.”
North Star’s commitment to net zero was underlined last year when it became a founder member of the Darlington Employers’ Environmental Partnership (DEEP), which now has nearly 50 businesses working together to share good practice.
The Eldon Street proposal was brought to North Star by Incrementum UK and Northeast Property Investment, with the scheme also using the services of HMH Architects, RNJ Construction Consultants, Portland Consulting Engineers, and NEECO Ltd, Durham.