To meet the growing demand for keyworker housing in Dunstable
The UK has a backlog of 3.9 million homes, its biggest housing shortfall on record according to new research by Heriot-Watt University. This means 340,000 new homes need to be built each year until 2031. Central Bedfordshire alone needs to build 360 affordable homes each year until 2021 under the Strategic Housing Market Assessment. To make a start Central Bedfordshire College and a private developer have chosen ZEDPods, ready-made, quality starter-homes for a new development of 23 homes on college land.
The one and two-bedroom houses, a break-through development in low cost, low carbon and high-quality homes, are fabricated off site. Their modular construction allows them to be rapidly erected on pieces of land not generally considered suitable for housing. With a variety of design options covering single or multi-occupancy sites, ZEDPod homes can be tailored for a range of accommodation needs, offering a viable, affordable solution to the keyworker housing crisis.
Designed and developed by RIBA award-winning architect Bill Dunster, the ZEDPods are designed to take advantage of existing city centre car park locations and hard standings across the UK, either on the ground or assembled on raised platforms. Homes are built to higher standards than conventional houses, being super insulated, triple glazed, with heat recovery ventilation, low carbon technology and lots of daylight.
While the company is busy working on several new developments following the launch of the concept, this is the first ZEDPod project to go into planning. Bill Dunster, director of the new ZED Pods company says: "We understand that Savills has reported 'the identified requirement for affordable housing is greater than could be delivered through the planning system' and that there is a 'need to explore other ways of providing affordable housing' so we look forward to working constructively with planners across the UK in explaining our new technology."
Ali Hadawi, Principal, of Central Bedfordshire College said: "We are delighted that Central Bedfordshire College is able to support the local area needs and ZEDPods with the creation of environmentally friendly housing solutions. We look forward to working with ZEDPods to develop new courses teaching on modern forms of construction utilising the most cutting edge, eco-friendly construction techniques to our learners and to seeing the benefits that this innovation will have on our community."
LOCAL MP, the Rt Hon Andrew Selous is enthusiastic about this first development, which will offer affordable homes to Dunstable's nurses, teachers and firefighters and says: "Bill Dunster set out a compelling case for affordable zero energy bill homes that people want to live in. There is a huge demand for affordable housing and I will do what I can to keep this matter at the top of the Government's list of priorities".
Bill Dunster added: "As the pods are constructed from quality fireproof, durable and robust materials, they are designed to last as long as a traditionally built home. The pods' solar roofs generate more energy than the houses consume, so they will also have the lowest possible running costs."
ZEDPod owners will have their own balcony and front door, a kitchen and dining table, a bathroom, a lounge with stairs leading to a mezzanine floor bedspace, with home office desk, double bed, wardrobe and storage. ZEDPods will be sold with a 'Q Assure' mortgageable warranty.
