Four eco-friendly housing pods are set to help address homelessness in the city.
The pods will be constructed in the garden of 214 Tolladine Road, a former vicarage for Christchurch Tolladine in Worcester.
Designed as supported housing, the units will provide accommodation for people on Worcester City Council’s housing register.
The house and garden were bought by Tolladine Mission, a Christian charity, when it was no longer required by the Diocese of Worcester.
APPROVED: Social housing in Tolladine will help tackle homelessness in the area (Image: matthew gullick architects)
The Mission always had the intention to develop the land to address housing needs in the area.
City planners said the homes are small and do not all meet Nationally Described Space Standards, but decided the social benefits of the scheme outweighed these concerns.
A council spokesman said: “The provision of supported accommodation provides substantial social benefits which are considered to outweigh the unit size limitations.”
They said the scheme was “specifically designed to provide supported housing for vulnerable groups, helping to reduce homelessness” and there would be a “high quality living environment surrounding the units”.
SMALL: Planners had concerns over the size of the social housing in Tolladine (Image: matthew gullick architects)
Each pod will be self-contained and built in pairs across two buildings, with shared entrances designed to promote interaction and a sense of community.
The scheme also includes a communal garden with walkways, seating, and “natural surveillance”.
Residents will be encouraged to help shape the use of the communal space, with potential for a growing garden or outdoor gym equipment.
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Council planning officers said they worked with developers to address concerns about overdevelopment, impact on neighbours, and the character of the area.
Amendments were made to reduce these effects.
The project supports the wider goals of the Church of England’s housing initiative, inspired by the Coming Home Report, which emphasises the Church’s role in tackling the housing crisis through affordable and sustainable development.
Tolladine Mission CIO is a charity delivering Christian mission and social housing in Tolladine. The CIO aims to meet some of the spiritual and housing needs in the community., working closely with the Church of England Diocese of Worcester.
