Work on nine new family homes, each meeting the stringent Level 4 in the government’s ‘Code for Sustainable Homes’ standards, has begun on an abandoned petrol station site Durham Road on the edge of Gateshead’s Town Centre.

When they are finished the nine homes, which are being built by Low Fell-based New Forest Construction, will be among the most environmentally-friendly and most energy-efficient homes in the North.

The houses are being built to standards of insulation 44% better than those required under existing building regulations and will include garages with built-in electric vehicle charging points.

In addition, each property will use solar thermal panels to heat the hot water and air source heat pumps to power under floor heating throughout the home. All lights will be energy-efficient and taps will have flow restrictors to minimize water usage to keep utility bills to a minimum.

Councillor Angela Douglas, Cabinet member for Housing, says: “Gateshead already has a national reputation for encouraging innovative residential developments, such as BoKlok in Felling and Staithes South Bank in Dunston.

“These new homes will be among the most energy-efficient dwellings in the UK and will be yet another first for Gateshead. They will also remove a significant eyesore and replace it with a development which will enhance the streetscape.”

Originally, five developers submitted proposals for the site following a marketing exercise led by Gateshead Council – but instead of the Council choosing one of the five itself, it turned to a group of local residents for help in making the final choice.

Those residents were members of Gateshead’s Community Design Reference Group, a group of local people who have been brought together by Gateshead Council to help advise on future housing developments in the Bridging NewcastleGateshead area. The group have been given training in urban planning and design and have been taken on visits to housing developments throughout the region to look at new ideas.

The group examined each of the five proposals in detail and both they and Council agreed that New Forest’s proposal for nine eco-homes was the best proposal for the site.

Councillor Angela Armstrong added: “I am especially pleased that local people have played such an important role in bringing this development to Gateshead. The Design Reference Group are an important part of our determination to give people homes that they can be proud of and their work is proving invaluable.”

David Charlton from New Forest Group says: “Being born in Gateshead, having always lived in Gateshead, and with a company based in Low Fell, I have watched with admiration as the face of Gateshead has been transformed beyond all recognition.

“We are absolutely delighted to be working in partnership with Gateshead Council and undertaking this exciting and innovative development together.”

The homes, which will conform to CABE's ‘Building for Life’ quality standards, are sympathetically designed to blend into the Victorian frontage along Durham Road, and boast high ceiling heights and generously-proportioned rooms.

The former filling station on Durham Road had been abandoned for some years and its increasingly overgrown condition attracted regular complaints from neighbours. Gateshead Council had also been concerned at the impression the site gives to passing motorists on one of the busiest access routes into Tyneside.

Three of the nine homes have already been bought and it is hoped that a show house will be ready for viewing in November.