PLANS for a dozen new affordable apartments in central Newport for people who have been homeless are likely to be approved this week.

Housing association Linc Cymru has applied to install 12 prefabricated 'Zed Pod' units on the site of a car park in Hill Street, a stone's throw from the city centre's main shopping areas.

The properties would be made off-site and then put together at their final location - each unit will provide a home for single residents.

Newport council planners have rejected the scheme once before, last December, but now amended plans have been resubmitted and recommended for approval.

If built, the 12 apartments will help the city "to discharge homeless duties for those currently living in temporary accommodation or supported housing and who are ready to move onto more permanent accommodation", planning documents show.

South Wales Argus: Street view image of the Hill Street car park in Newport. Picture: GoogleStreet view image of the Hill Street car park in Newport. Picture: Google

There are currently "limited options" for people in temporary accommodation to move into a permanent home, the council said.

Housing stock in Newport is "not sufficient" to meet this need, and the pandemic has placed "increased pressures on the local authority with many more households requiring temporary accommodation".

By using prefabricated homes, the council notes how "units can be delivered quickly in order to meet the pressing need for this type of accommodation".

South Wales Argus: An artist's impression of the proposed new development in Hill Street, Newport. Picture: Zed PodsAn artist's impression of the proposed new development in Hill Street, Newport. Picture: Zed Pods

The development will lead to the loss of 21 parking spaces at the site. Some 31 spaces will remain, including two disabled parking spots.

Planning documents show neighbouring residents were unhappy with the original proposals, but that Linc Cymru has revised its aims and the people who will be housed at the development.

Stow Hill ward councillor Kate Thomas said the first plans "alarmed" residents and were "extremely poorly received in the community".

"It is to be hoped that some of these fears have now been alleviated [by the revisions]," she added.

Residents' complaints included concerns the apartments would not blend in visually with the neighbourhood's existing buildings, that they would lead to a "lack of privacy", and that the project could add to an alleged "constant problem" with anti-social behaviour linked to drink and drugs.

South Wales Argus: A map showing the location of the proposed development in Hill Street, Newport. Source: GoogleA map showing the location of the proposed development in Hill Street, Newport. Source: Google

In planning documents, ward councillor Miqdad al-Nuaimi acknowledged the need to address homelessness in Newport, but owing to residents' concerns he said he was "unable to support the resubmission" of the plans.

Council planners said the rapid construction of 12 affordable homes would bring a "very clear benefit" to the city, where there are currently 247 single people and couples in temporary accommodation with limited move-on options, as well as 143 people waiting for supported accommodation who are classed as homeless.

They added that the concerns of local residents "are noted" and issues highlighted by the ward councillors had been "discussed" with the council's Housing Needs Team.

The plans have been recommended for approval, subject to conditions, and will be decided at a council planning meeting later this week.