Photo Credit: An example of what the homeless pods look like from Exeter City Council.
Temporary pods are set to be installed in Hereford city centre car parks to help support the homeless during the winter.
The pods, four in total, will be installed at the Country Bus Station car park and Venn’s Close Car Park if Planning Permission is granted.
As part of Herefordshire Council’s response and provision of emergency winter accommodation for rough sleepers in the county, the council will be purchasing emergency accommodation pods to augment the provision of a dormitory shelter at Symonds Street Hereford.
Initial plans had been to site four pods, in pairs, on land owned by Voluntary Sector partners. Due to leasehold agreements this is not now possible.
Initial discussion with Mr James Hughes (Herefordshire Council Parking Service’s Manager) have taken place to seek his support to place four of these pods, in pairs, on Council owned car park spaces.
Mr Hughes has provided his support to place these pods in the following locations, subject to Herefordshire Council’s Property Services permission being granted.
A planning application has been submitted to secure temporary planning permission in order for Herefordshire Council to deliver this statutory provision of accommodation at the two locations set out below.
The locations are:
1. Venn’s Close Car Park.
2. Hereford Bus Station Car Park.
The pods would occupy an area equivalent to three parking spaces.
The pods obtain power via with a PV Panel that stores energy in a battery to power an internal light and USB port.
They have a single bed and a chemical toilet (which will be emptied by contractual arrangement).
It is proposed to use the pods to accommodate people sleeping rough, between early December and late April 2024.
At the end of this period a review of arrangements will take place and these pods may be relocated, this will be reviewed according to demand.
The option to leave them sited and/or to remove and relocate them back to the same location for the winter of 24/25 and beyond is requested.
