Modular housing on the way for Sandford

They'll be transported to the area

More modular housing could be on its way to Mid Devon.

A planning application has been submitted by a company called Zed Pods for a block of five apartments to replace council-owned garages at Crofts in Sandford, near Crediton.

They will all be for social rent to people classed as in need on the local housing register.

Unlike traditional properties, modular homes are factory-built before being transported to site where they are installed and connected to services.

Two modular social housing developments have previously been agreed in Tiverton and Cullompton, also replacing areas occupied by council-owned garages. Zed Pods claims they are “built to higher standards than conventional houses.”

It adds their “specialist design incorporates fabric efficiency and solar panels into each unit to create ultra-low to net-zero carbon homes with the lowest possible running costs.”

The Sandford site is surrounded by existing housing and is will be accessed from the Crofts Estate Road. A planning application says the cream render block will match neighbouring properties.

But eight local residents, mainly from the Crofts Estate, object to the plan. Their concerns include the development “overshadowing” neighbouring properties, its appearance being “out of character” and lack of parking.

However, of the two people to comment in favour, one said: “I am in principle in favour of a development which provides rented accommodation for local people who would otherwise be priced out of Sandford.

“It’s something that has been more or less absent from previous recent development in the parish and is welcome,” they added.

Modular homes have previously been praised by East Devon MP Simon Jupp.

Speaking to the BBC’s Politics South West in 2021, he said: “I’ve been inside several modular homes. They’re awesome. I would very happily live in one and they’re a cheaper way…. to actually provide affordable housing on both rent and when you come to buy it.”

Mid Devon District Council’s planning committee will consider the application at a later date.