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Consultation and engagement

Results of the consultation on the Liverpool Heat Network Zone boundary area

This consultation ran from 17 June to 2 August 2026.

The aim of this consultation was to gather your views on the proposed boundary area of the Liverpool Heat Network Zone.

A heat network zone is a defined area where heat networks have been identified as the most cost-effective and low-carbon option for heating buildings. Within these areas, heat is supplied from a central source through underground pipes to multiple buildings, such as homes, offices, hospitals and universities, rather than each building having its own boiler. 

The proposed zone covers Liverpool city centre and was identified through the national heat network zoning programme led by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

Heat network zoning is being introduced in England under the Energy Act 2023. Further details on how the scheme will work will be set out in secondary legislation by early 2027. Ahead of this, and at the request of DESNZ, we have carried out this consultation to help inform the final zone boundary area.

The zone will be formally introduced and managed by a Zone Coordination Body (ZCB) which is expected to be established by early 2027. The ZCB will consider the results of this consultation, alongside further technical and commercial assessments, in the refinement of the zone before designation.

We asked

We sought views on the proposed boundary area and whether any local information, opportunities or constraints should be considered before the zone is designated.
Views were sought from:

  • residents
  • businesses
  • building owners
  • developers
  • existing heat network operators
  • statutory stakeholders 

You said

During the consultation, we held five stakeholder meetings and an online webinar for the general public, which had seven attendees. In total, we received 20 formal consultation responses, including 17 online feedback forms and three email responses.

A majority of respondents were supportive of both low-carbon heat networks and the proposed Liverpool Heat Network Zone. Many respondents considered the proposed boundary area to be a logical location for a heat network because it includes major heat users such as public buildings, healthcare facilities and universities.

Key themes raised:

  • Support for the proposed boundary area and the wider use of low-carbon heat networks.
  • Suggestions to expand the boundary area to include additional schools, healthcare facilities, developments and other high heat users.
  • Requests for existing heat networks and planned investment to be recognised as part of future development of the zone.
  • Questions about how buildings near the edge of the proposed boundary area, or outside it, would be considered.
  • Concerns about affordability, consumer protection and customer choice.
  • Comments relating to future construction impacts, planning requirements, heritage considerations and delivery of the heat network.

We did

The consultation feedback has been reviewed and recorded in a Consultation Statement. This will be shared with the ZCB and DESNZ to support the refinement of the boundary area. 

All feedback received will be reviewed alongside further technical and commercial assessments to inform the final zone boundary area, which will be completed by the ZCB once it is established.

Comments relating to future development, delivery, operation, customer protection and existing heat network infrastructure will help inform future planning and decision-making as the project progresses.

The final designation of the zone will be the responsibility of the ZCB. Designation can take place once the ZCB has been established and the secondary legislation is introduced, which is expected by early 2027.