Julian House is embarking on an innovative new partnership with Somerset Council to build four Off Site Manufactured (OSM) or ‘modular’ homes in Glastonbury. See the planning application here.
The modular homes will give single homeless people with an existing connection to Glastonbury a safe place to call home, as well as professional support from Julian House to help them to rebuild their lives.
This builds on existing work between Julian House and Somerset Council to provide accommodation and support for people who are at risk of homelessness, or who are sofa surfing or sleeping rough. The acuteness of the housing emergency in the southwest has led us to explore new ways to offer local people in need the security of their own home.
A stable home provides the essential foundation for people to get back on their feet. Our goal is to see each person who lives in one of our modular homes return to full independence within six months to two years.
Julian House and Somerset Council are running consultations on the modular homes proposal and invite local residents to have their say.
What are modular homes?
Modular homes are cost-effective, with a much smaller carbon footprint than a traditionally built home. They are designed to be moved if they need to be and are classed as a temporary structure which locks into permanent services such as electricity, waste, and water.
They are specifically designed to meet the needs of individuals who need housing support:
- They are large enough to feel comfortable for the length of the resident’s stay, but not so big that they would become a permanent home.
- They are small enough that the resident does not feel overwhelmed by the space; nor does it lend itself to being occupied by more than one individual.
Success stories in Bristol, Truro, Cambridge and Haringey make us hopeful that, with the support of the Glastonbury community, our modular homes can provide an effective lifeline for local homeless people.
The proposed site
The proposed site for modular homes is St Edmund’s Community Hall car park – selected by Somerset Council as ideally located within a positive community, close to existing services and just a short walk to the town centre.
Our next consultation session will be held at St Edmund’s Community Hall on 12th December 2023. Local residents can drop in to discuss our proposals anytime from 1pm-5pm. Read the hand-out here.
Alternatively, local residents can provide feedback in the following ways:
- Email: SEP@julianhouse.org.uk
- Call: 01225 354650 where a message can be left for Joanne Lumb, Development Manager (Housing).
- Write to: Julian House, 1 Kelso Place, Upper Bristol Rd, Bath, BA1 3AU.
- Leave a comment on the planning site: Here
We welcome all questions, thoughts and concerns and aim to respond to you within five working days.
