Summary
The pandemic has highlighted a problem which we have been thinking about for a long time: how to create a type of system build, supported by a new simple Planning Policy, which will help those members of society who are in need of some level of support with the challenges of every-day living to remain among friends and family, who in turn may be enabled to help provide that support.
The Need
The Client is someone, who through age, ill health, infirmity, injury, disability or for any other reason has now become geographically or socially isolated from family and friends and where options to remedy the position are severely limited for all sorts of reasons.
The Pod
Using modern technologies and materials a high-quality accommodation Pod would be developed, capable of being transported and craned into position. The Pod would be developed from existing designs and comprise: –
(i) A well-designed chassis, providing a serviced shell, including structure and external envelope, electrics, plumbing, insulation, windows and doors.
(ii) an exterior cladding component capable of being sensitively matched to the surroundings in which it will be sited.
(iii) an interior component tailored to the needs and desires of the client in terms of kitchen, bathroom fittings and internal décor and facilities.
The Temporary Planning Consent
A temporary planning consent personal to the Client would permit occupation until it was no longer needed, when the pod would be removed and recycled for another client.
The Siting of the Pod
A number of options for the siting of the Pod are envisaged: –
(i) In the garden of the Client’s own property. Where the Client has a strong social circle but existing accommodation has become unsuitable or where it requires substantial modification to meet the Client’s new needs the siting of a Pod in the garden. This would allow a relative or friend to occupy the client’s own house if desired to help with care, and provide some income.
(ii) In the garden of a relative or friend. The isolated Client would come under the umbrella of care of a relative or friend whilst at the same time retaining a good level of independence and personal space. Benefits might also flow from the Client to the family member too.
(iii) In the garden of an adjacent third party The relative or friend does not have a suitable garden but where a nearby third party would be willing to let a portion of their garden on terms to accommodate a pod.
(iv) On recycled local authority or statutory body land or in the grounds of a residential care home or other institution. A group of pods sited to provide for a group of vulnerable Clients to form their own community and to afford ready access for carers.
Pods could even be craned into back land sites with no other access, over terraced houses or gardens of detached houses.
The Gain to all Parties.
The idea allows a natural development and re-emergence of the old style “extended family”; the person to be accommodated gains because some of their care needs are met, but most importantly they do not need to leave familiar surroundings and friends and family. The friends and family gain because they are able to continue to see and support their friend or family member without having to travel far from home; they may also gain by being able to take over the former (now unsuitable) home, which in turn may provide an opportunity to help support their friend/family member financially as well. Lastly there will be many opportunities for the mixing of generations with the young engaging with the old, and the old imparting wisdom and emotional support to the young; in the case of a disability there are many opportunities for mutual help, support and stimulation. Avoiding institutional living is hugely important people who might otherwise become extremely isolated.
The Financial Model
A Government backed Bank funding scheme would be created. The chassis of the Pod would remain in ownership of the company developing the concept and the Client would pay rent over the period of occupation of the Pod. The Client would pay a capital sum or borrow under the Bank Scheme to fund the design, build, transport, siting and connecting of the Pod. This sum would include the cost of the exterior cladding component to suit its planned location and the interior components to the specification and needs of the Client. If funded through the Bank scheme then any borrowing would be secured on the Client’s or the relative’s assets. Where appropriate State funding would be applied. On removal the Pod would be recycled and the Pod Chassis put to another Client Scheme. The cost of the bespoke element of the pod to the Client would be the only irrecoverable cost.
1060-11