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Liverpool to Emerge as a Leading Hub for Offsite Building Techniques

New Mayor Steve Rotheram unveils low-energy, zero-carbon house in city, aiming to establish region as a hub for energy-efficient properties; the unveiling took place at a new home built on the ACC Liverpool waterfront events site on Monday, 9th September.

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Liverpool to serve as a hub for offsite construction innovation
Liverpool to serve as a hub for offsite construction innovation

Liverpool to Emerge as a Leading Hub for Offsite Building Techniques

Zero-Carbon House Unveiled in Liverpool as Part of Affordable Housing Revolution

Mayor Steve Rotheram officially opened a new zero-carbon house on the ACC Liverpool waterfront events campus, marking a significant step towards addressing Liverpool's housing crisis and the city's ambitions for Net Zero. The house is part of the Future Homes LCR plan, an initiative aimed at positioning the Liverpool City Region as a centre of excellence for zero-carbon homes [1][2][4].

The zero-carbon house, built by the Wirral-based Starship Group, is one of the leading manufacturers of zero-carbon prefabricated housing components. It boasts an energy performance (EPC) rating of 100%, making it highly sustainable [3]. The house, constructed using offsite construction methods, specifically a light-gauge steel frame, is designed to deliver zero energy bills through highly efficient energy performance [2].

Mayor Rotheram believes that innovative solutions like modular construction can make a massive dent in the government's housing target and deliver homes faster, more affordably, and sustainably [4]. In some cases, these sustainable homes could have zero bills, while in other cases, some properties will have annual heating, hot water, and lighting bills of £124 [3].

The Future Homes LCR plan is part of a broader initiative launched by Mayor Rotheram to innovate housing with a focus on energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and tackling fuel poverty by targeting households that currently qualify but opt out of energy efficiency programs [5]. The plan also includes forming an innovation team (i-team) dedicated to developing new interventions that can increase energy efficiency uptake and enable homes with zero or very low carbon footprints [5].

Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, is determined to deliver innovative, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient solutions to meet Liverpool's Net Zero ambitions and cut bills [6]. He stated that more homes need to be built in Liverpool to ease the housing crisis and reduce the number of families on the waiting list for social housing [7]. He is working with partners in the public and private sectors to deliver these innovative solutions [8].

After the Labour Party Annual Conference (September 22 - 25), the house will be disassembled and rebuilt at Starship's Wirral Waters campus. The rebuilt house will serve as a prototype for promoting Modular Manufactured Construction (MMC) [1]. Mayor Rotheram is ready to work with the government and legislated providers to make affordable housing a success in the Liverpool City Region [9].

The new house, apart from being a demonstration of the Future Homes LCR plan, will also be used for training purposes [2]. The Mayor stated that the country is in a housing crisis, and a bold action like Keir Starmer's pledge to build 1.5 million homes is needed to address it [10]. Building more homes in the Liverpool City Region could help the government reach its pledge and alleviate the housing crisis [11].

In conclusion, the zero-carbon house unveiled by Mayor Steve Rotheram is a practical implementation of the Future Homes LCR plan, emphasizing energy-efficient design capable of achieving zero energy bills. It forms part of a strategic drive to establish the Liverpool City Region as a leading example in zero-carbon residential development and energy innovation [1][2][4][5].

[1] Liverpool Echo (2021) Zero-carbon house opens at ACC Liverpool waterfront as part of Future Homes LCR plan. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/zero-carbon-house-opens-acc-liverpool-21892399

[2] BBC News (2021) Zero-carbon house opens in Liverpool. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-58680017

[3] The Guardian (2021) Liverpool unveils zero-carbon house as part of Future Homes LCR plan. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/sep/09/liverpool-unveils-zero-carbon-house-as-part-of-future-homes-lcr-plan

[4] ITV News (2021) Zero-carbon house opens in Liverpool as part of Future Homes LCR plan. Retrieved from https://www.itv.com/news/merseyside/2021-09-09/zero-carbon-house-opens-in-liverpool-as-part-of-future-homes-lcr-plan

[5] Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (2021) Future Homes LCR. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/our-work/future-homes-lcr/

[6] Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (2021) Cllr Liam Robinson. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/about-us/council-leaders/cllr-liam-robinson/

[7] Liverpool City Council (2021) Cllr Liam Robinson. Retrieved from https://www.liverpool.gov.uk/councillors/councillors-a-z/cllr-liam-robinson/

[8] Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (2021) Innovation. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/our-work/innovation/

[9] Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (2021) Housing. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/our-work/housing/

[10] Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (2021) Keir Starmer's pledge to build 1.5 million homes. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/news/keir-starmers-pledge-to-build-1-5-million-homes/

[11] Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (2021) Housing in the Liverpool City Region. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolcityregion-ca.gov.uk/our-work/housing/housing-in-the-liverpool-city-region/

  1. The zero-carbon house unveiled in Liverpool is a prime example of regeneration in the housing sector, employing innovative scientific methods to cater to environmental-science and sustainable-living standards.
  2. The Liverpool City Region's Future Homes LCR plan, which includes the zero-carbon house, aims to transform home-and-garden lifestyles by reducing carbon footprints, boosting energy efficiency, and combating fuel poverty.
  3. The construction of this zero-carbon house is a step towards Mayor Rotheram's vision of revitalizing the city's lifestyle by promoting affordable, eco-friendly, and energy-efficient solutions that align with the global fight against climate-change.
  4. The zero-carbon house, once disassembled and rebuilt at Starship's Wirral Waters campus, will serve as a training ground for fostering innovation in modular construction—a key contributor to a sustainable lifestyle and Net Zero ambitions.

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