Leahurst Campus Decarbonisation Scheme

Senate was appointed to deliver the decarbonisation of the University of Liverpool's Small Animal Teaching Hospital (SATH) at the Leahurst Campus in Neston.

This project formed part of the University’s wider sustainability strategy, replacing the building’s existing gas-fired heating system with a low-carbon solution to reduce emissions while maintaining uninterrupted services within a critical veterinary teaching and emergency care facility operating 24 hours a day.

Our scope involved the replacement of the existing gas-fired boilers with high-efficiency air source heat pumps, supported by significant upgrades to the site’s electrical infrastructure and the construction of a new external compound housing the heat pumps and packaged plant room. The project also incorporated new electrical supplies, modifications to the existing heating and ventilation systems, replacement heat recovery equipment within the air handling units and the installation of a carbon dioxide heat pump for domestic hot water generation. Designed to maximise energy efficiency while working within the site’s available electrical capacity, the scheme represented a major step in reducing the campus’s reliance on fossil fuels.

Delivering the project required careful planning and close collaboration with the University, as the Small Animal Teaching Hospital remained fully operational throughout the works. Detailed phasing ensured that critical clinical services, including operating theatres, diagnostics and treatment areas, could continue functioning safely, with at least one operating theatre remaining available at all times. Senate coordinated works to minimise disruption to staff, students and hospital operations, carefully managing access, deliveries, noise and service interruptions while maintaining safe routes for building users and neighbouring campus activities. Comprehensive health and safety management, robust stakeholder communication and carefully sequenced installation works were fundamental to maintaining continuity within this live healthcare and education environment.

Drawing on extensive experience delivering complex mechanical and electrical projects within occupied public sector environments, Senate provided a coordinated approach that balanced decarbonisation objectives with operational resilience. By combining technical expertise with meticulous programme management, the project supports the University of Liverpool’s long-term sustainability ambitions while delivering modern, energy-efficient building services with minimal disruption to one of the campus’s most critical facilities.