The Future Homes LCR Plan: Delivering Net Zero Homes
Cllr Graham Morgan, Leader of Knowsley Council, welcomed Miatta Fahnbulleh, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Energy and Security and Net Zero, to the launch of The Future Homes LCR plan as a precursor to The Housing Community Summit, which took place on Monday 9 September 2024 at ACC Liverpool.
The Future Homes LCR plan, positions the region as a centre of excellence for zero-carbon, low-energy-cost homes and was officially unveiled at a specially constructed ‘Zero Bills’ house built on the Liverpool waterfront outside the ACC conference centre, using Offsite Construction methods.
The news of the zero bills homes will provide a major boost for the economy as well as generating significant energy saving benefits and carbon emission reductions.
It is also proof that the city region is at the vanguard of not only meeting government targets to build new houses, but demonstrates that this can be achieved in a zero carbon way, whilst potentially offering residents up to 10 years freedom from energy bills, helping to tackle fuel poverty and avoiding the Heat or Eat dilemma.
Leader of Knowsley Council and the Combined Authority’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Cllr Graham Morgan, said: “I can testify that we really need to accelerate house building and affordable homes in our city region.
“We stand ready to play our part in building houses at scale and pace using modern methods of construction as this innovative show house demonstrates.
“It can and should be done to alleviate the housing crisis holding back growth and prosperity in so many of our communities.”
Mayor Steve Rotheram emphasised the potential of the flagship scheme: “The country is in the throes of a housing crisis that is driving up prices, creating homelessness, and holding back our economic growth.
“For too long, we have faced national governments that have ignored the growing crisis, but we have a new government that wants to tackle it head on.
“Keir Starmer’s pledge to build 1.5 million homes is exactly the bold action we need, and I want as many of them to be built here in the Liverpool City Region as possible.
“With innovative solutions like modular construction, we can make a massive dent in that target and deliver homes faster, more affordably, and sustainably.
“As Mayor, I’m committed to overseeing an affordable housing revolution in our region – including the return of large-scale council house building.
“We’ve got the skills, the expertise, and the determination to make this a success, and we stand ready to work with the government and legislated providers to make it happen.
“Future Homes LCR shows exactly what’s possible when innovation and collaboration come together – creating a brighter, more sustainable future for everyone.”
The homes are constructed and part-assembled off site.
Using innovative Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) such as offsite manufacture, houses can be completed within a week and have estimated heating, hot water, and lighting bills of £124-a-year – or even zero, in some cases.
The Future Homes LCR waterfront house has been built using a light-gauge steel frame, clad with insulation and brick slips to create a super-insulated, airtight building with an energy performance (EPC) rating of 100%.
The Future Homes LCR scheme is a public-private alliance which aims to accelerate the development of ultra-low-carbon housing across the region, offering a sustainable solution to the housing crisis.
The initiative brings together local experts in modular housing construction and national suppliers to support councils and social housing providers in addressing both housing shortages and labour challenges.
The build is part of a broader ambition to harness modular building techniques to make full use of the 700 brownfield sites in the Liverpool City Region, which have the potential to accommodate 42,000 homes.
Future Homes LCR is a joint effort between key figures and organisations in the region, including David Meyerowitz, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Business and Enterprise Board; Rachael Baker, Managing Director at JJ Smith; and Dave Dargan, Founder & CEO at Starship Group.
The alliance is set to help the Liverpool City Region meet its target of building 83,000 new homes by 2040, as outlined in the Combined Authority’s Spatial Development Strategy.
