News
ZEDpods in St. George – Planning application validated
This ZEDpods development proposes to build 11 homes over the Chalks Road carpark, adjacent to St George Park.
Turley is providing expert planning and strategic communications services for the scheme which pioneers a way to create a 100% affordable and low carbon housing development over an existing land use, a car park in this case.
Following a well-attended and, in the vast majority, warmly received public consultation on Friday 1 March, the scheme has now progressed to the full planning application. Subject to planning the ambition of the Bristol Housing festival is to have these built and occupied before the next Housing Festival exhibition in October 2019.
Amy Hickson, Associate Director said:
“The proposed development provides an exciting and innovative opportunity to deliver sustainable and affordable housing in Bristol. There is a clear need for affordable housing in the city and it is refreshing to see the various partners working together to bring forward a solution to address this issue. If the planning application is approved the development will create energy efficient homes for young people in need of housing, whilst maintaining the site’s existing use as a car park.”
Jez Sweetland, Project Director of BHF:
“I am delighted that this scheme is sufficiently developed that we have been able to submit for planning and are still on track to have these built and occupied before the next planned Bristol Housing Festival public exhibition in October 2019. In the context of the housing needs of the city it is important that we find creative ways to use land to test new ideas that can be scaled up to contribute to meeting our city’s housing needs – we also need to show that this can be done quickly as the existing need creates a demand for urgency.’
A ZEDpod is a new concept in high-quality, rapid build, modular low energy homes that can use air rights above existing land within city centres, such as car parks. The ZEDpod apartments can be raised above existing car parking spaces, which continue to be available for public parking. The homes have been optimised for energy efficiency and the lowest possible running costs, with solar panels to generate renewable electricity in the day, quiet running heat pumps for low energy heating, controlled ventilation which recovers usable heat from inside the building whilst bringing in fresh air, triple glazing, LED lighting and energy efficient appliances.
This environmental and social focused development will deliver much needed affordable housing in the area for young people. By creating a mixture of tenures, a new community model will be created to ensure that the support networks are in place for the tenants.
The scheme will offer something truly innovative, a first for the city and of its kind in the UK. The development rethinks existing land use, often in central locations, demonstrating a new possibility in helping solve the housing crisis, whilst at the same time providing beautiful, low carbon housing.
This project is a collaboration between Bristol Housing Festival, ZED Pods Ltd, a Bristol based Housing Association, the YMCA, Bristol and Bath Regional Capital and Bristol City Council.
Dr. Rehan Khodabuccus, Operations Director of ZED Pods Ltd. said:
“We are excited to have started the planning process and hope to be working with Bristol City Council to deliver 11 Pods for young people with affordable new homes”
Bill Dunster OBE, Design Director at ZED Pods Ltd said:
“I’m very pleased that after designing these new homes we can, if planning is agreed, make a real difference to people in this community, with no loss of car parking space”
22 May 2019