
Plans to boost the supply of temporary accommodation for people who find themselves homeless have taken a major step forward with the appointment of a contractor to build the new homes.
Award-winning company Zed Pods will construct 12 self-contained units on the former Blue Bell Hill car park, subject to planning permission being granted. The London-based firm has extensive experience working with councils to design and build similar developments using its in-house architectural, manufacturing, and construction teams.
The modular homes will be precision-built offsite and assembled on location, ensuring minimal disruption to the surrounding community. Each unit will be designed to a high standard, with strong environmental credentials and renewable technologies such as solar panels and heat pumps to help reduce running costs for occupants.
The next step for the Tonbridge and Malling Borough council project is for a planning application to be submitted in November. Ahead of the submission, a drop-in meeting for residents wishing to find out more about the scheme will be held on Thursday 6 November from 4-7pm at the Bridgewood Manor Hotel.
Like many other local authorities, Tonbridge and Malling has seen increasing demand for help with homelessness - which it has a legal obligation to meet - with around 120 households at any one time needing accommodation. While it owns or leases around 30 properties in the Tonbridge area, there is little available in the north of the borough. The council’s overall bill for providing temporary accommodation is around £2.5m per year.
The Blue Bell Hill scheme is budgeted to cost approximately £4m which will be met from a Local Authority Housing Fund grant, council reserves and up to £1m of developer contributions linked to projects elsewhere in the borough.
Cllr Robin Betts, the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Providing temporary accommodation for those who through no fault of their own find themselves homeless is a duty we’re committed to meeting but have to acknowledge the increasing strain it places on our budgets.
“This scheme will not only provide a cost-effective supply of additional homes but also enable more homeless families from the north of our borough to remain close to the area where they have local connections.
“Zed Pods have a very strong track record of innovation and delivering high quality temporary accommodation. I’m excited to have them on board and look forward to this important project moving forward and strengthening our ability to better support homeless families in our borough.”
Tom Northway, Chairman of Zed Pods, said “We’re delighted to partner with Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council to deliver rapid-build, high-quality, energy-efficient homes for vulnerable local households. Our innovative modular solutions combine precision engineering with renewable technology. These sustainable homes with low-running-costs will make a real difference to residents’ lives.”