News / st george
Latest plans to build modular homes on car park
A new housing scheme proposed for a car park just behind Church Road could provide supported move-on accommodation for people facing homelessness.
Bristol City Council is partnering with The Salvation Army on the plans to build eight single-person modular homes, each of which would be fully furnished with an electric hob, fridge, washing machine and a change of clothes.
The Derby Street car park behind the Fire Engine pub on Church Road is just a stone’s throw away from the award-winning Hope Rise development that saw ZED pod homes on stilts built above the Chalks Road car park by St George Park.
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The Salvation Army says its proposed scheme would provide “stepping stone” accommodation for individuals who have been homeless or at risk of homelessness, providing a place for residents to live for a year or two to re-establish stability and independence in their lives with ongoing support.
The plan is to build eight Solohaus homes on part of Derby Street car park in St George – photo: The Salvation Army
Dubbed Project Malachi, the housing scheme is named after a boy who donated the £5 he received from the tooth fairy to the Salvation Army in Ilford to do something for people facing homelessness.
The Bristol project would follow a similar development in Ilford and would comprise eight modular homes, known as Solohaus, that have been designed specifically for people who have been homeless or living in unstable accommodation.
A Bristol City Council spokesperson said: “If planning permission is granted, Project Malachi will provide eight units of modular housing on Derby Street car park in St George. It will be used as supported move-on for individuals who have previously been homeless.
“The council is looking to gift a 30-year lease of part of the car park to the Salvation Army, who will also provide tailored support for tenants.”
Each home would come full-furnished and provide ‘stepping stone’ accommodation for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness – photo: The Salvation Army
A public consultation was held in St George Library on December 9. People can also contact the Salvation Army about the project by emailing bristol.easton@salvationarmy.org.uk.
The charity has confirmed it intends to submit a planning application early this year.
The housing scheme would take up part of the car park, with “the majority” of spaces retained for parking. The plan is to heat the homes with a low-energy air-source heat pump that would keep bills to £5 per week for residents.
The Solohauses are being donated to the Salvation Army and installed free of charge by national building firm Hill as part of Andy Hill’s charitable Foundation200 initiative.
Bristol City Council, in collaboration with the Salvation Army, will nominate tenants for the Derby Street scheme and residents will be selected on the basis that they will benefit from a period of privacy and independence before moving on to more permanent accommodation.
If permission is granted, the housing scheme will take up a chunk of Derby Street car park – photo: Ellie Pipe
Main photo: Ellie Pipe
Read more: Latest housing proposals for derelict Church Road eyesore
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