Innovative ‘ZEDPod’ homes could be built above a car park in Bristol

11 innovative ‘ZEDPods’, which are built above existing car parking spaces, could be coming to Bristol after the group behind the project formalised a planning application.

The development would see build 11 homes over the Chalks Road carpark, adjacent to St George Park in the city, which could ‘pioneer’ a way to create 100% affordable and low-carbon housing over existing land use.

The homes have been optimised for energy efficiency and use 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 project is a collaboration between Bristol Housing Festival, ZED Pods Ltd, the YMCA, Bristol and Bath Regional Capital and Bristol City Council.

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 at planning consultants Turley 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.’

The ZEDPods were originally unveiled at the launch event of the Bristol Housing Festival in October, which is a five-year project aimed at producing innovative solutions to the UK’s housing crisis.