North West eco-housing first for Lancaster building company

By Rob Kelly

09 Jun 2025

Baldwin Building Services used prefabricated panels made by eco-friendly manufacturer Etopia to construct a block of four apartments and adjoining community centre on behalf of Lancaster City Council.

A Lancaster-based building company has completed the North West’s first housing project built using an innovative, eco-friendly modular panel system.

Baldwin Building Services used prefabricated panels made by eco-friendly manufacturer Etopia to construct a block of four apartments and adjoining community centre on behalf of Lancaster City Council.

Everything about the building, from choice of materials to heating and energy, was designed to be as efficient as possible.

Baldwin Building Services Managing Director Jack Baldwin said: “We’re extremely proud of this project because it embodies our values as a business more than anything we’ve done before.

“As well as achieving excellent energy efficiency through its innovative design, the building has been created through collaboration by numerous local partners.

“We’ve been able to use the opportunity to develop our workforce to bring new ‘green skills’ to the region, and create employment in the local economy.”

The new building forms part of the Alder Grove independent living complex in Lancaster’s Marsh ward. Predominantly for people aged over 60, the council-run complex was built in the early 1970s and consists of 30 homes.

Custom-built Etopia panels used in the construction are formed of 160mm of foam insulation, protected by a cement-bonded outer skin - a combination bringing strength, air-tightness and high levels of energy efficiency.

A 45-panel solar array powers the four properties, which also have access to an integrated e-vehicle charging point.

Mr Baldwin said: “The city council jumped at the opportunity to work with us using this new building technique because there are so many benefits to working in this way.

“Etopia’s panels were created with the aim of keeping carbon emissions and use of water in the construction process to a minimum. The energy-efficient properties of the materials mean carbon emissions remain low throughout the lifecycle of the property.

“Installing modular panels built off-site also meant we were able to minimise noise and dust pollution, as well as disruption and inconvenience to residents during the construction process.

“We’re also very pleased that we were able to complete the project without the need to remove the mature trees on the edges of the site.

“Trying something new like this always comes with a certain amount of trepidation, but having been through the process I hope that this is the first of many similar builds for us.”

The finished buildings have achieved the sought-after EPC A rating - the highest standard for energy efficiency.

Designed by Lancaster-based Mason Gillibrand Architects, the buildings have been developed to be responsive to the needs of future residents.

Ground floor properties have ramped access, widened doorways and fully accessible wet-rooms. Both first-floor properties also have widened stairways to accommodate stair-lifts if required.

The adjoining community centre was designed as an accessible space for residents to socialise, and as an accessible base for the site manager.

Lee Donner, director of Mason Gillibrand Architects, said: “As soon as we and the Baldwin Building Services team saw the Etopia system for ourselves, we wanted to bring it to the Lancaster area.

“Fast forward a couple of years and Baldwin Building Services was taking delivery of the enormous pre-manufactured Etopia panels and craning them into place - we suddenly went from damp-proof course to seeing the roof trusses installed in only six days!

“We are absolutely delighted to be able to hand over these purpose-designed, highly energy efficient new homes, a great example of excellent new local authority housing and an achievement we’re certainly very proud of.”

Lancaster City Council leader and portfolio holder for housing and homelessness Coun Caroline Jackson said: “I’m delighted that work on these much-needed new homes is now complete.

“This project is part of our wider commitment to improving the energy efficiency of council housing and increasing the supply of high-quality homes for local people.

“It also reflects our strong dedication to working with local contractors wherever possible and supporting our local economy.”

 

Enjoyed this? Read more from Rob Kelly

Latest news

1

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action BAE Systems production

BAE Systems workers vote for strike action

23 Oct 2025

2

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West Nick Miles, National Cyber Force deputy director for Samlesbury

National Cyber Force launches startup programme in the North West

23 Oct 2025

3

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund Foresight announces £90 million first close of its third dedicated North West regional investment fund

Foresight announces £90m first close of its third North West regional investment fund

23 Oct 2025

4

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win Warehouse Supervisor at Pets Choice Brad Eddleston and McMurrays Sales Manager Rob Spencer. Photo credit: McMurrays Haulage Limited

McMurrays Haulage expands fleet after contract win

21 Oct 2025

5

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day Derry Green

Dragons' Den star to shine on Lancashire Business Day

21 Oct 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 09 Jan 2026

Women scaling up Blackpool Fylde and Wyre

The Small Business Academy, Blackpool, FY4 5JX

09:30 - 15:30

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Lancaster District Business Support Expo
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Oct 2025 - 29 Oct 2025

Lancaster District Business Support Expo

The Platform, Morecambe, LA4 4DB

10:00 - 15:00

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
06 Nov 2025 - 06 Nov 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – November

Porsche Centre South Lakes, Carnforth, LA6 1FW

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner
Lancs-cham-logo.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Roundtables
10 Nov 2025 - 10 Nov 2025

Lancashire Police business update with The Police and Crime Commissioner

Lancaster Castle, Lancaster, LA1 1YN

14:00 - 16:00

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human
2.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

AI, Creativity, and what it means to be human

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity
1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
11 Nov 2025 - 11 Nov 2025

Beyond the Brand: Building trust through values and integrity

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 20:00

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
13 Nov 2025 - 13 Nov 2025

The Business Network Central and East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

The AI Lab: E-commerce
Ai Lab ecommerce (1).png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Nov 2025 - 14 Nov 2025

The AI Lab: E-commerce

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV124 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin