Modular homes builder Starship has completed the construction of eight ‘net zero carbon’ bungalows in Wirral for affordable housing group Torus. Tony McDonough reports
Affordable housing provider Torus has taken delivery of eight factory-built homes in Wallasey from main contractor Starship.
Comprising eight bungalows in Oakdale Road, the £1.5m scheme saw Starship manufacture the homes at its factory. They were made using what is called Modern Methods of Construction (MMC).
Starship was formed following the acquisition and merger of several existing property development and construction businesses. It is backed by a private investment fund and has delivered more than £75m of residential projects across the UK.
The Wirral firm has a further £30m of schemes under way with another £100m of projects in the pipeline. It is in the process of relocating its factory from Deeside to Wirral Waters where it will create 100 new jobs.
In 2021 it completed four factory-built modular homes in New Ferry in Wirral. These zero-carbon properties have now been handed over to housing association Magenta Living. The business has delivered 50 modular homes so far this year.
All of the Wallasey homes bungalows are available via affordable rent. They were built to meet net zero carbon standards, featuring PV solar roof panels and air source heat pumps. Starship completed the project in under a year.
Starship development director Chris Moores said: “It’s been great working with the team at Torus to deliver what is a truly innovative, next generation development for their residents.
“We are always working to push the boundaries in creating the lowest carbon living standards possible for our customers. We are looking forward to working with Torus in the future on more game-changing homes.”
Torus director of development and sales, Steve Alcock, said the housing association intended to build more homes using MMC. He added: “As a social investor, we’re committed to ensuring all homes we build are not only affordable, but actively contribute to addressing key issues impacting our local communities.
“As we progress on our journey to net zero emissions, this development will form the blueprint for how we continue to use MMC intelligently to not only fix the national housing crisis but reduce our impact on the environment.”