Crofts Estate | ZED PODS

Crofts Estate, Sandford

Mid Devon District Council

About the project

Mid Devon District Council is continuing its move towards carbon zero with the launch of a new modular housing project in Croft’s Estate, Crediton.

This social-rented, zero-operation-carbon development is part of the Mid Devon District Council’s ambitious target to build new affordable homes and deliver innovative housing by unlocking underutilised sites. It aims to create added value for existing residents with improvements to public areas and external landscaping. The Council also aspire to create sustainable developments through energy efficient design. The Crofts Estate development forms part of the Council’s wider five-year social housing development programme.

Project Team

Mid Devon District Council

The Council

ZED PODS Ltd

Principal Designer

& Contractor

Mid Devon District Council has received grant funding from the “Affordable Homes Program 2021-2026”, a £11.5 billion of capital funding over five years to enable the supply of approximately 162,000 new affordable homes. In addition, the Council has received additional funding under “Brown Field Release Fund” as part of a total award of £660k to build 50 social-rented homes at six regeneration sites across the district. Zed Pods played an important role in helping the Council to secure the funding.

Site Location

Development Proposal

The proposed development at Croft’s Estate maximises the Council’s provision for housing and parking by providing 5 high-quality energy-efficient homes in configuration of 5 x 1B2P, each home with generous private amenity spaces. This scheme further develops surrounding landscape by providing level access with better connection to existing neighbouring context. By giving serious consideration of the window positions, there are no overlooking into houses located to the east. The scheme provides more formal parking for local residents whilst addressing the local housing need.

ZED PODS has designed the massing at two storeys to be as unobtrusive as possible to the neighbouring conservation area. The materiality choices also reflect this. The proposal lies behind a line of mature tall trees which obscure the site from the conservation area and wider town, these will be retained.

Massing Strategy

The massing has been set back from Church Parks and Crofts Estate to allow for ancillary space. As the site sits topographically lower than the surrounding units the ridge height of a two storey mass is signicantly lower. The topographical advantage was considered given the lack of overshading or overlooking concerns on site.

Set Back and Key Distance

The proposed massing has been set back from both Crofts Estate and Church Parks to allow for parking provision towards the front and gable end of the scheme. The large distances to the windows of any surrounding buildings there is no opportunities for overlooking or privacy concerns within the proposal.

Strategic Views

Habitable room spaces have all been designed with primary windows and balconies facing towards the large tree folliage at the front of the scheme. There are no views into either of the adjacent properties.

Accommodation Mix

The scheme proposes 1 bedroom units to serve a range of housing needs with accessible units located on the ground floor. Each has a 5m2+ private amenity space provided by an external balconies.

Vehicular Access

The existing site access from Crofts Estate will be retained for vehicle access and pedestrian access to units. Introducing access from Church Parks reconnects the site to the wider context as well as allowing for further parking provision for the area.

Pedestrian and Cycle Access

There is two new pedestrian access points proposed from Church Parks and Crofts Estate easy access for residents and allowing for multiple entry points and well as improving connectivity to existing footpaths. Cycle store is located off Crofts Estate to ensure accessibility for all residents.

Noise and Pollution

The position of the massing increases distance between habitable spaces and mains road arteries with amenity grass land, defensible planting and ancillary space creating a buffer zone. Mass acts as a screen for private communal staircore and habitable spaces.

Massing Strategy

Set Back and Key Distance

Strategic Views

Accommodation Mix

The scheme proposes 1 bedroom units to serve a range of housing needs with accessible units located on the ground floor. Each has a 5m2+ private amenity space provided by an external balconies.