Work has begun on 14 homes in West Kirby built using modern methods of construction, with walls and roofs assembled off-site and fitted together like flatpack furniture.
Sandbank Point Development
The homes are being built on a vacant plot on Banks Road, formerly Ashton Court, now named Sandbank Point. The development comprises two and three-bedroom homes, with eight available for social rent and six for private renters.
The homes are constructed by Starship, a firm based in Wirral, making this project particularly significant for the company. The wall and roof panels were manufactured at Starship's factory in Birkenhead before being transported to West Kirby.
Dave Dargan, founder and CEO of Starship, said: "These houses will be installed in around one and a half days per house. They're watertight and ready for fit out. It's a really clean, tidy, and fast way of doing things." He added that the method creates minimal disruption for the community.
Energy Efficiency
The homes are rated EPC A, making them some of the most efficient in the country. Dargan estimated annual bills for water and energy could range from £50 to £150. "We're trying to deliver the very best homes at the lowest energy cost possible," he said.
Partnership
The development is a partnership with Magenta Living, Wirral's largest affordable housing provider, which owns and manages 13,000 homes. Andy Lomas, CEO of Magenta Living, said: "We're thrilled. This is a fantastic development, in partnership with Wirral Council, Homes England, and Starship."
Wirral Council leader Cllr Paula Basnett added: "It's about staying local. We have a local developer and a provider of social housing. How great that we have such a partnership on Wirral!"
