Livv Housing Group has welcomed customers into 15 brand-new affordable rent homes at Copthorne Walk, Kirkby, marking the start of its pioneering ‘road to net-zero’ pilot project.

Over the next 12 months, Livv will closely monitor a range of innovative technologies across these homes, gathering vital insights to shape future developments.

The Copthorne Walk development features a mix of one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom semi-detached houses. Each home has been built to different performance targets, including standards aligned with the latest Part L Building Regulations (Conservation of Fuel and Power) and the proposed Future Homes Standard.

Some homes are equipped with traditional gas boilers, others with air source heat pumps, while some have features such as electric heating, hot water cylinders, triple-glazed windows or solar panels. This range of technologies allows Livv to test and compare energy efficiency across different systems to identify the most effective solutions.

In partnership with researchers at Liverpool John Moores University, the project will collect evidence-based data including real-life energy performance, operational costs and customer feedback on using and managing new technologies. A digital twin platform will provide an immersive 360-degree view of the homes and visualise performance data.

Findings gathered over the next 12 months will help inform Livv’s future low-carbon housebuilding strategies and financial models will assess the viability of adopting new technologies on a larger scale. The project will also produce best-practice guidance and educational resources to support the wider housing sector’s net-zero ambitions.

Yvonne Westhead-Fyles, director of development at Livv Housing Group, says: “We’re pleased to welcome our customers and launch this important pilot. Housing plays a pivotal role in the UK’s journey to net zero.

“By trialling different technologies and working closely with our customers to understand their lived experience and impact on fuel bills, we can develop homes that are greener, more affordable and truly fit for the future. This project will provide vital insights for a full net-zero pilot and we look forward to sharing the outcomes.”

Dr Hu Du, senior lecturer in building services and architectural engineering at Liverpool John Moores University, adds: “I’m excited to be working with Livv on its innovative ‘road to net-zero’ project.

“This is a fantastic and timely initiative. With the full enforcement of the Future Homes Standard and new Buildings Regulations expected to begin very soon, understanding how changing regulations and evolving technologies impact real-world buildings is vital.

“Over the next year, we will rigorously evaluate real-world low-carbon homes, moving beyond theoretical models to provide Livv with evidenced-based, actionable, scalable strategies to reduce the carbon footprint of their properties and lead the way in sustainable social housing.”

The project was delivered by Tyson Construction and grant funding support was provided by Homes England.

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