PLANS to build 12 flats in Newport for people who have been homeless have taken a step forward.

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Newport City Council had agreed to lease Hill Street car park out to housing association Linc Cymru for 250 years.

At the time, it was revealed that the housing association was planning on building 12 single-occupancy flats, “for people who have been homeless”.

Following this announcement, residents in the area were invited to offer their thoughts on the plans, which would benefit from Welsh Government phase two homeless funding of £920,000 if it goes ahead.

Now, a planning application to begin building work has been submitted the council.

The application sets out, in more detail, what can be expected from the development, which has been submitted by agents Avison Young, on behalf of Linc Cymru.

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What do the plans show?

According to documents, the 12 flats would be Zen Pod homes – factory built volumetric houses.

They are said to be “built to higher standards than conventional houses” and are low-to-zero carbon houses.

Each flat would be home to three rooms – a combined living/dining/kitchen space, a bathroom, and a bedroom.

They would each have a small Juliet balcony to the rear, too.

Plans also show that the two-storey block would have solar panels on the roof for improved energy efficiency.

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If approved, the terrace row will be built on the eastern side of the existing Hill Street car park.

On the opposite side, 31 parking spaces are set to be retained for public parking.

A new railing would be put up around the residential portion of the plot, which would also contain bicycle storage, and communal green space.

South Wales Argus: How the flats could look (Credit: Linc Cymru)How the flats could look (Credit: Linc Cymru)

Should the plans be approved, it is not thought that construction would take long.

What’s more, disruption to local residents would be kept to a minimum – as much of the construction is to be carried out in a factory, off-site.

It is estimated that this would speed the project up by as much as 50 per cent.

Around 75 per cent of the materials used in the project would also be sourced from Wales.

The planning application can be viewed and commented upon here.