A community of ‘micro-homes’ each with an area of just 17.25m2 has been given the green light by Worcester City Council.
City councillors backed iKozie’s plans for 16 single-person homes to be built on a brownfield site in the city centre. It will be the UK’s first community of iKozie’s micro-homes. Planning Prospects Ltd acted for iKozie in securing this planning permission.
The design of the homes was inspired by yacht interiors and first-class airline suites. The company’s director Kieran O’Donnell hopes that the development could be a template and inspiration for similar housing solutions across the country. The iKozie micro-home has a bedroom, shower room, living area and full kitchen including all appliances.
The scheme will contain five affordable homes – which will be allocated to individuals put forward from Worcester City Council’s housing list – with the remainder being rented privately. Two homes will be disabled friendly.
Councillor James Stanley, chair of the city council’s communities committee, said: “This is a much-needed and innovative housing solution, which will help more people in the city to live independently while also benefitting from being part of a wider community.”
O’Donnell said: “The approval of the first iKozie community will draw a lot of attention from around the country and Worcester City Council is to be congratulated for its vision in supporting this innovative housing scheme. It hasn’t been an easy road to get here as we have revised the plans to ensure the council’s view and the thoughts and concerns of residents near the development have been taken into consideration.”
Construction will begin in early 2019, with first residents expected to be in by the end of that year.