AN APPLICATION has been submitted to replace 11 garages said to be under-used with five one-bedroom social housing apartments in a two-storey block.

ZED PODS Limited of Bristol has applied to Mid Devon District Council to build the homes at Crofts, Sandford, with 10 car parking spaces after demolition of the garages. The flats would be mid or short-term tenancy and managed by the district council.

ZED PODS says the flats are prefabricated with high levels of insulation and triple glazing plus mechanical ventilation combined with heat recovery, energy efficient appliances and LED lighting as standard.

Solar panels would be provided as well as air source heat pumps that should mean net zero, creating more energy than is used.

The applicant said these would provide social rent accommodation which is currently in undersupply and the proposed development would deliver “significant public benefits”.

It was said that the majority of the garages were no longer used to store cars given their age, condition and size.

Five of the 10 parking spaces would have direct access from Crofts Estate and five from Church Parks and would not be restricted to future occupants

In its pre-application talk with the district council the applicant had been advised that this development would not mean a financial contribution towards public open space, air quality or education.

As of February 4 there had been no comments of support or objection among the 30 documents listed on the district council website.

To view the proposal in detail go to planning.middevon.gov.uk and search for application 23/00119/FULL