Welcome to the Irby Eco Living Project — a grassroots initiative focused on sustainable living through regenerative land stewardship, biodiversity support, and off-grid infrastructure. Located in the Wirral area, this project aims to turn underused greenbelt space into a thriving, low-impact eco hub.
The Irby Eco Living Project is a small-scale land restoration initiative rooted in principles of off-grid living, no-dig gardening, and eco land stewardship. It’s designed to show how people can live more sustainably in the UK while regenerating local ecosystems and inspiring community action.
Whether you’re curious about what sustainable living looks like in practice, or passionate about rewilding and permaculture, this space is for you.
Our core goals:
Create a working model of sustainable living UK
Grow food using regenerative farming and no-dig gardening methods
Build habitat-rich zones to support pollinators, amphibians, and native species
Use low-impact, off-grid infrastructure (solar, compost toilet, rainwater catchment)
Engage the wider community through blog updates and digital workshops
Here’s what we’re installing or restoring on-site:
A non-permanent off-grid eco cabin as a land base
Vegetable beds, composting areas, and water harvesting systems
A pollinator-friendly wildflower meadow and a small wildlife pond
Hedgehog and insect shelters made from natural and reclaimed materials
Chickens and ducks for pest control and egg production
Everything is designed to leave a minimal footprint while maximising ecological return — a key aspect of eco-friendly lifestyle planning.
Our platform — The Backyard Farmer — shares 5+ years of content on how to live sustainably. With this project, we’re:
Posting visual updates and seasonal land changes
Writing guides on off-grid systems, rewilding, and food growing
Running occasional online tutorials
Encouraging other Wirral sustainable projects to share knowledge
This is not just a plot of land — it’s an open invitation to learn, act, and grow together.
The Irby Eco Living Project reflects national and local environmental priorities:
✅ Wirral’s Climate Emergency Declaration — helping push toward net-zero
✅ Cool Wirral Partnership — encouraging behavioural change and education
✅ Biodiversity Net Gain targets — creating measurable improvements for wildlife
✅ DEFRA’s 25-Year Environment Plan — supporting rewilding and land care
✅ Wirral Local Plan — appropriate use of greenbelt land with no permanent structures
We aim to become a case study in sustainable land use with local support.
The project is based in the Irby area of Wirral, making use of greenbelt land with historical residential use. While we keep the exact location private, the site is accessible for local collaboration and will be shared through secure channels for volunteers and stakeholders.
For general context, check this [What3Words link] or follow our updates via the blog.
Phase 1: Proposal sent to Wirral Council ✅
Phase 2: Blog page live & land-use map published ✅
Phase 3: Engage local supporters and funding bodies 🔄
We’re also exploring options through:
The Prince’s Trust Enterprise Programme
DEFRA biodiversity schemes
Local grants or sustainable living crowdfunding
If you’re passionate about climate-positive land projects, we want to hear from you.
Pending council approval, here’s how the project will progress:
✅ Crowdfunding Campaign Launched
As soon as we get the green light, the campaign will go live.
🛒 Land Purchase Finalised
Funds raised will secure the site for long-term ecological use.
🛠️ Site Preparation Begins
We’ll clear paths, mark zones, and set foundations for low-impact use.
🏕 Cabin Installation + Off-Grid Setup
Installation of a shepherd’s hut or eco cabin, along with:
🌿 Biodiversity and Food Growing Zones Created
🌍 Ongoing Updates, Workshops, and Volunteering
The Irby Eco Living Project isn’t just about transforming land — it’s about transforming lives. It’s a practical response to post-COVID challenges, especially around food security and community resilience. During the pandemic, we saw firsthand how fragile our food systems really are. By supporting small-scale self-sufficiency projects like this one, you’re helping build a more adaptable and empowered future — rooted in nature
We align with Wirral Council’s Climate Emergency Declaration and Cool Wirral Partnership goals.
This project serves as a working model of practical sustainability that others can learn from and replicate.
It offers a hands-on, local solution to global environmental challenges.
This isn’t about going back to basics — it’s about moving forward better.
We combine off-grid living with the modern comforts we all enjoy: TV, gaming consoles, internet, and computers.
Technology is part of the solution — by using it wisely, we lighten our impact on the planet.
I’ve already spent three years living semi off-grid in a cabin, so I know what works.
This isn’t a leap into the unknown — it’s the next logical step in a lifestyle I already live and love.
My long-term plan is to gift the land to the National Trust.
Because this site borders a National Trust forest and park, it’s the perfect fit.
With your help, this land will become a protected space for wildlife, education, and community well into the future.
You’ll help fund solar power, rainwater systems, compost toilets, and wildlife habitats.
You’ll contribute to building no-dig food beds and educational signage.
You’ll help launch a real-world example of sustainable living in the UK.
🔒 The crowdfunding campaign is already prepared — and once we get council approval, we’ll hit the ground running.
Help us grow the Irby Eco Living Project:
Share this page with others interested in living sustainably
Sign up for blog updates or contact us to volunteer
Recommend funding sources or eco collaborations
📬 Contact: admin at backyard-farmer dot com
📍 Blog: https://backyard-farmer.com
🌿 Follow our latest sustainable living ideas and seasonal land progress
Let’s create a greener, more resilient Wirral — one plot at a time.