ZEDPods’ offsite starter homes chosen for first project

Central Bedfordshire College and a private developer have chosen ZEDPods, a new offsite manufacturer of low-cost starter-homes, for a development on college land which will offer 23 affordable homes to Dunstable’s nurses, teachers and firefighters.

ZEDPods are designed to be built on plots of land not considered suitable for housing, for example city centre car park locations, either on the ground or assembled on raised platforms.

The one to two-bedroom homes are factory-built to higher standards than conventional houses, being super insulated, triple glazed, with heat recovery ventilation, low-carbon technology and lots of daylight.

The Bedford development is the first ZEDPods project to be built, according to BIM+. Architect Bill Dunster, who set up ZEDPods in 2016, said: “As the pods are constructed from quality fireproof, durable and robust materials, they are designed to last as long as a traditionally built home. The pods’ solar roofs generate more energy than the houses consume, so they will also have the lowest possible running costs.”

The one and two-bed homes are built to higher standards than conventional houses

ZEDPod owners will have their own balcony and front door, a kitchen and dining table, a bathroom, a lounge with stairs leading to a mezzanine floor bedspace, with home office desk, double bed, wardrobe and storage. ZEDPods will be sold with a ‘Q Assure’ mortgageable warranty.

Ali Hadawi, principal of Central Bedfordshire College, said: “We are delighted that Central Bedfordshire College is able to support the local area needs and ZEDPods with the creation of environmentally friendly housing solutions.

“We look forward to working with ZEDPods to develop new teaching courses about modern forms of construction utilising the most cutting-edge, eco-friendly construction techniques to our learners and to seeing the benefits that this innovation will have on our community.”

Local MP Andrew Selous praised the development, saying: “Bill Dunster set out a compelling case for affordable zero energy bill homes that people want to live in. There is a huge demand for affordable housing and I will do what I can to keep this matter at the top of the government’s list of priorities.”