AN architect has designed tiny ‘pod’ apartments – in the hope that the idea
could solve Britain’s housing crisis.
The ingenious pods are designed to stand on stilts above car parks – saving
plenty of space in the process.
Bill Dunster OBE reckons the pop-up communities could be erected over
ground-level facilities such park-and-ride sites to save room.
The pods have just 76 sq ft of living space – less than a third of the average
new build – and boast clever energy saving systems, including solar panels,
water recycling systems and electric vehicle charging points.
Developers say the homes could be let for around £750 per month, which split
between two people would be just under £400 – including bills.
The dinky homes cost between £55,000 and £60,000 to install.
Bill’s firm ZEDfactory has approached Oxford City Council in the hope of
trialling up to 50 of the homes and has even offered to meet the costs.
The council is also considering proposals to build more than 1,500 of the
eco-friendly homes above Oxford’s park and ride sites.
However, while some may regard the homes as a great answer to housing
shortage, the idea is struggling to get off the ground.
Air pollution, land devaluation and costs are all holding the homes up from
being rolled out.
But Bill has said that the number of cars passing through a park and ride
equates to far less than in the middle of a city – so pollution wouldn’t be
a problem.
While the pods require 25 years planning permission, they can easily be
transported to different locations should the council want to use the land
for something else.
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Council board member for planning Alex Hollingsworth said: “The city
council is always open to innovative ideas that can make a contribution to
tackling the housing crisis – we will carefully consider any plausible
proposal.”
Craig Simmons, group leader of Oxford City Council Green Party, claimed the
proposal ticked “all the boxes”.
He added: “This is well thought-through scheme. It would be foolish for
the city council to turn down the offer of a trial.”
However, the architect urged the council to “hurry up” and decide,
and claims that he may well take his idea elsewhere if councillors did not
get behind it soon.
He added: “They’ve come up with a thousand and one reasons why it can’t
be done.
“But there’s no obstacle so great that can’t be overcome. I don’t really
understand the delay.
“These homes are built to a better standard and are more carefully
designed than most developments in the city.
“They also allow you to take expansive tarmac and build homes for key
workers who cannot afford to live there because it is too expensive… and
they are next to existing transport links.
“It is about time Oxford shows some leadership in this field.
“We have raised enough money and given the city council the first chance
to try this but we are also talking to other local authorities.
“If the council doesn’t hurry up, we will just go somewhere else.”
Bill is currently in talks with Bath Council and Sutton Council in London to
introduce the homes there.