Council leader welcomes new energy‑efficient homes in West Kirby
Building is underway on 14 high‑quality new homes in West Kirby using modern methods to construct the external frames for three houses in just one day.
Offering a mix of two and three‑bedroom properties, Sandbank Point will meet the highest energy performance standard possible with eight of the homes to be available for social rent, thanks to support from Homes England and the Government’s new Social and Affordable Homes Programme.
Leader of Wirral Council, Cllr Paula Basnett, visited the site and praised the project. She said:
This is exactly what we mean when we talk about working together in Wirral: a local housing association in Magenta, a local developer in Starship and a joint commitment to delivering more affordable, sustainable homes for our communities.
The progress we can see on site in West Kirby really brings this to life – high quality new homes, being built quickly and with minimal disruption, that will help local people stay close to the places and people that matter to them.
Magenta Living is leading on the development and has contracted Wirral-based developers, Starship. External walls and roofs are manufactured off‑site at Starship’s Wirral Waters factory to reduce waste, speed up build time and minimise disruption for neighbours to the development site.
The focus on energy efficiency for these homes ensures those living at Sandbank Point will benefit from their homes being more affordable to run, helping to ease energy costs for future residents.
Andy Lomas, Chief Executive Officer at Magenta Living said:
Sandbank Point marks an exciting new chapter for Magenta Living as we add fourteen new high-quality, energy-efficient homes in the heart of West Kirby. We’re proud to work with Starship on a development that reflects our commitment to building sustainable, future‑ready homes, whilst at the same time supporting the City Region’s commitment to affordable housing.
Adam Costello, member of Magenta Customer and Communities Committee and West Kirby resident, said:
We wholeheartedly welcome the creation of affordable homes in West Kirby. Ensuring that local people have access to homes they can truly afford means families can remain close, friends can support one another, and those who have grown up here won't have to leave the community they love. It's about giving everyone the chance to build their future right where their roots are.
Chris Dodd, Director at Starship said:
We’re delighted to partner with Magenta Living on Sandbank Point, delivering homes that set a new standard for energy efficiency in West Kirby. Our team is committed to using innovative construction methods to ensure these properties are not only sustainable but also built with the needs of local residents in mind.
This development is the first successful project in the nation to draw down grant funding from Homes England as part of the Government’s new Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP).
Construction on Sandbank Point has begun with completion expected by March 2027. Social rent homes will be allocated through Property Pool Plus and private rent homes will be advertised through Bamboo Lettings on Rightmove.
