Nuns at Europe’s largest monastery in Merseyside are to become more energy efficient, thanks to the installation of renewable energy technologies.
Home to the Carmelite Sisters, construction has begun on the monastery at Maryton Grange in Allerton, Liverpool, which will see the nuns relocate from their present monastery in West Derby.
The three storey building will be constructed using traditional materials, with a chapel, cloister and work areas all to be incorporated into the 386,000 sq ft project. With sustainability and ecology at the heart of the new building design, solar photovoltaic panels and ground source heat pumps are set to be installed as part of the project which has been funded by the Carmelite order after selling off various other assets belonging to the order.
Reflecting the monastery’s peaceful environment, the building has been designed by Nobles Construction with a view to remaining sympathetic to the style of a traditional monastery, whilst incorporating the installation of 21st century renewable energy technologies.
“The new monastery will allow us to be much more energy efficient and the gardens will also enable us to be self-sufficient whilst protecting the local habitat,” said Prioress, Sister Mary.
The monastery project has been five years in the planning and is due to be completed by summer 2012.
