Work is set to begin shortly at Cowlins Mill in Carn Brea, Cornwall on the development of 10 one-bedroom modular homes
The new modular homes will be installed at a former industrial site near Pool in Carn Brea and will pay homage to the traditional miners’ cottages of the area.
The 10 modular homes, designed by ZED PODS, will be built to a mortgageable standard and are supplied with a new build warranty.
The new development will also deliver net zero carbon housing.
‘Providing those in need with a comfortable place to live’
Leader of Cornwall Council, Linda Taylor, said: “With housing a top priority for this council, we are delighted to see this development begin on the ground.
“It is clear to see that these homes will provide those in the most need with a comfortable place to live while we help them to find long-term accommodation.
“This is just one of many ways in which we are working to tackle the housing pressures that we are experiencing.”
The new modular homes are designed to have the lowest possible running costs and come with living, kitchen and dining space in an open-plan layout, along with a separate bedroom.
The homes will be heated and supplied with hot water via a solar-assisted heat pump. Solar panels will also help to offset energy consumption.
Chairman of ZED PODS, Thomas Northway, commented: “We are delighted that ZED PODS has been chosen by Cornwall Council to design and build 10 energy efficient high-quality modular homes on this very constrained and challenging site.
“The success of planning permission demonstrates our in-house design capability to bring forward such brownfield sites into residential use.
“This will be an exemplar collaboration between ZED PODS, Cornwall Council, Cormac, Cornwall Housing and suppliers – working together to deliver a zero-carbon development for vulnerable households.”
Contractor Cormac is due to begin preliminary work on the site, which was previously home to a Council workshop and offices compound, shortly.
‘Life-changing for those that are homeless’
Jon Warner, housing options manager at Cornwall Housing, which will operate the completed site, said: “The schemes Cornwall Housing has run on behalf of the council during the pandemic have been life-changing for people that are homeless, giving them a safe place to stay.
“They have also been cited as a model of good practice and won a UK Homeless Link award for excellence.
“This modular housing scheme is a first for Cornwall and will further help to eliminate the need for anyone to sleep rough. The quality of these new homes will be excellent and give those who need it a comfortable place to live while they are helped into longer-term accommodation.”
The new modular homes in Carn Brea are due to be delivered to the site in the autumn and will be ready for occupation in December.