Thanet council is exploring the possibility of using ‘pods’ to provide temporary accommodation on the isle.
The council has already bought, or is in the process of buying, new properties specifically for people in need of temporary homes in a bid to keep down costs to third-party providers and reduce the need to send people out of district.
These include Foy House in Margate, open since January 2023, a former guesthouse in Truro Road, Ramsgate which is undergoing works; 11 homes from developer Vistry at Westwood Point which are four two-bedroom properties and seven three-bedroom properties; six flats in Margate Road, Ramsgate and a former refuge building in Edgar Road which is currently being used by RISE, the council’s multi-agency rough sleeping project. The building’s long-term future, is likely to be for around ten flats for people on the housing register.
There are currently 173 isle households in temporary accommodation that are not within Thanet.
The latest property purchases, when all are complete, would bring in-house temporary accommodation to 34 homes.
In a report to councillors, it is revealed that the council is also considering a temporary use on land to install pods, such as those recently introduced by Ashford council.
The Ashford factory-built “pods”, were installed this year on a former car park site. The 23 self-contained homes are a mix of 13 one-bed, nine two-bed and one three-bed dwellings and include a large enclosed communal garden and parking bays.
The project, which cost £7.4m, was created through firm ZedPods. Each pod weighs 12 tonnes and is highly insulated and triple glazed, with a lifespan of 60 years. Each home is partly powered by 180 solar panels installed on their roofs.
In an overview of Thanet council’s temporary accommodation purchases and wider plans, it says: “We are considering whether the temporary use of land offers an opportunity for small schemes built through MMC (modern methods of construction, such as prefabricated pods). “The advantage of using this form of design is that, where possible, the pods can be relocated to another site once the ‘meanwhile’ time comes to an end and a more permanent solution is implemented on the site.
“Volumetric solutions (where products are brought to site completed internally and externally, simply awaiting connection to utilities) are a growing concept despite the fact that initial take-up by the sector has been slow, leading to the demise of some high-profile providers.
“A scheme in Ashford being delivered by ZedPods is an example of a site that will work well, following in the steps of other schemes delivered by that organisation in Bristol and Bromley. “This is something the council is exploring, mindful that panelised solutions (where a product is brought to site effectively flat-packed) might need to be considered given how tight some of Thanet’s roads are.
“The council is also considering other options for further temporary accommodation schemes on land and in buildings it already owns, using the approved funding for the 2025/28 capital programme.”
Empty homes
The report also mentions the use of empty properties and says the housing team does discuss possible options for bringing back empty homes into use but “the system for acquiring these homes is relatively draconian unless negotiation can be undertaken.
“Often the homes are in serious states of disrepair too, so it is not true to say that the homes are readily available and can be quickly occupied. These would often be time consuming and expensive to bring forward. However, it does remain on the council’s radar.”
Permanent homes
Deputy council leader Helen Whitehead, who is portfolio holder for housing, says temporary housing is one priority but the focus is on permanent housing.
She said: “In house temporary accommodation is one of our highest priorities as a council, but we always prioritise permanent homes, as evidenced by our acquisitions programme.
“The issue that Thanet continually has is the availability of land; when we have it, we use it to provide the permanent housing we need. “Meanwhile” sites, where there are long term plans but no short term usage, are few and far between; although we will explore efficient temporary uses for those sites, our focus will always be on permanent provision.”
The temporary accommodation provision will be discussed at a council meeting on October 10.
Westwood Point – 11 homes
Cabinet has approved the purchase of four two-bedroom properties and seven three-bedroom properties at Westwood Point for the use of temporary accommodation. The cost for the 11 homes totals £ 2,850,000 plus £132,000 Stamp Duty and £22,000 legal costs.
The council says the project will generate revenue savings from year 2.
Truro Road
Cabinet gave permission in March 2024 for the council to buy the former guest house in Truro Road with its seven self-contained rooms. The completion of the acquisition took place on 18th April 2024. Since then a planning application has been prepared and submitted (on 28th August) for the change of use for the building from its use as a former guest house to that of temporary accommodation. Though it had been hoped to occupy the building almost immediately, there have been some unforeseen works that will need to take place.
Six properties at Margate Road
Six flats were approved for acquisition by Cabinet in August 2024. The Council has since instructed VWV as external solicitors to achieve completion and the process of acquisition has begun. The homes will be managed by the council’s temporary accommodation property officer.
Edgar Road
This building is currently being used as the RISE project’s base. The building’s long-term future, subject to planning consents, is likely to be for around ten flats that will sit in the council’s housing revenue account as general needs accommodation to people on the housing register.
Foy House
Foy House provides eight self-contained 1 and 2 bedroom flats for individuals and families with urgent housing needs, who are being supported by the council.
The ambitious refurbishment project was completed in January 2023 and brought a large, long-term empty property back into use. The scheme, including building purchase and conversion, came in at £1.6m.
