Transforming Victorian Terraces with Energy-Efficient Upgrades – Onward Homes

Onward is one of the largest registered providers of social housing based solely in the North West of England, with 35,000 homes across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, and Lancashire. They are a not-for-profit organisation, and their purpose is to “enable customers to be their best by providing homes that people love in places they are proud of”.

Novus is currently working in partnership with Onward to deliver a fabric first energy improvement works project to 402 Victorian terraced street properties, across 20 streets concentrated in the Kirkdale area of Liverpool, which is approximately three miles north of the City Centre. The project is funded under the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.1 and was mobilised in a condensed seven-week period (taking into account the Christmas and New Year period) ready for start on-site in January 2024.

The works include a range of PAS 2030 compliant energy efficiency measures, including:

• Wall insulation systems (EWI, cavity wall insulation, and/or IWI) to rear and gable elevations, including outriggers and extensions
• Loft insulation
• Re-roofing works, including extending and adapting roof coverings, eaves, verge and ridge details, as well as work to rainwater goods, fascias, soffits and barge boards
• Adapting elevation features and services to accommodate EWI, including narrowing of existing openings and extending of boiler flues
• Window and door replacements and upgrades with high-performance triple glazing units
• Underfloor insulation (where properties have a cellar)
• New extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms

In addition to SHDF funded energy efficiency measures, we are installing external lighting on every property, undertaking painting work, and undertaking external repairs e.g., gates, repointing, chimney stack repairs.

The first batch of properties was successfully completed in May 2024, following a period of near record-breaking adverse wet weather conditions, which hampered progress during the early stages of the works. We therefore altered our programme to ensure we still met strict SHDF timeframes, and we are now on track to complete up to ten properties a week to achieve the challenging programme and funding timescales working across nine separate phases, working closely with Onward’s appointed Retrofit Coordinator (TWC Consulting) and Principal Designer (Arcus).

Our team are based on-site, using a void property as a site office which has been fully refurbished, supported by a satellite compound with two dedicated Project Resident Liaison Officers working closely with Onward, and local residents, to understand resident needs and provide regular communications. This has been supported by a series of resident open days to find out more about the programme including an opportunity to see the first completed properties on Delamere Street to understand what will happen to their properties as the programme accelerates. One of these has been retained as Onward’s own site office and a designated ‘show home’ for residents to visit. This proactive approach to resident liaison has been complemented by a dedicated residents webpage (hosted on Onward’s website) to post project updates.

Local employment has been a key area of focus from the outset with 19 jobs provided to people from the local area for a mixture of roles including joinery, plastering, roofing, and general labour. We are also using a range of local material suppliers and sub-contractors to support us. We have already delivered a number of social value initiatives, including the donation of 50 Christmas hampers to local families to support them through the Winter, and the gifting of 12 slow cookers to Everton in the Community’s latest project, supporting ex veterans. We also installed a small kitchen and undertook painting works for Walton Youth Project, and are undertaking local allotment improvement works.