Michelmores advises Ashford Borough Council on sustainable short-stay accommodation

Michelmores has been appointed to advise Ashford Borough Council in Kent on the construction of unique, short-stay apartments for homeless people on the under-used Henwood car park on the edge of Ashford town centre.

Ashford Borough Council has selected ZED PODS, an award-winning British modular company, to design and build 23 high-quality, extremely energy efficient, factory-produced homes for the site.

The homes will be built in a fraction of the time of traditionally built conventional housing. They are highly-insulated and triple-glazed, with heat recovery ventilation and featuring 175 solar panels integrated into the roof. The fabric of the building is designed to create zero carbon homes with very low energy consumption and running costs.

This will be the first-of-its-kind modular development in the borough. It will be built on a steel podium, and all necessary safety features and flood risk mitigation measures have been adopted for this scheme due to the site situated in a flood zone area.

The Michelmores team advising on the deal is led by Alan Tate, a Consultant in Michelmores’ Construction & Engineering team arising from his involvement with the award winning ZED PODS project for Bristol City Council .

Alan is experienced in advising on projects using modern methods of construction. He recently advised Bristol City Council on a similar ZED PODS project; the multi-award winning Hope Rise development. This pioneering zero operational carbon and socially focused development of 11 homes was built in East Bristol for vulnerable young people who are at risk of homelessness.

Alan comments on the deal between Ashford Borough Council and ZED PODS:

“ZED PODS are a very practical way of trying to help solve the housing crisis and giving more to communities. These homes are quick to assemble and energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.

“In line with the Firm’s strong commitment to promoting sustainable business practices, we are pleased to advise Ashford Borough Council on this milestone development which will benefit individuals in the Ashford area who have become homeless and give them the opportunity to start again.”

Michelmores offers advice to public authorities, investors, developers, landowners and planners on a wide range of sustainable infrastructure, real estate and resource management projects. For more information about our Construction and Engineering expertise, services and lawyers, visit our website.