We’re living in fear of £7m ‘pod estate’ putting up CRIMINALS with balconies & parking spaces opposite kids’ play centre

WORRIED families have reacted angrily to plans to house “ex-convicts” and homeless people in pre-fab homes opposite a children’s centre. The 12 Zed Pods - lego-style one bedroom apartments - are nearing completion in the deprived area of Knowle West in Bristol.

The Sun understands that the pods are being used to house criminals freed from jail, and not those on bail. And with the prospect of the first occupants moving in within a few months, locals are questioning why the city council have put them up opposite the Knowle West Children’s Centre.

Single mother of four girls Rianne Hartrey, 38, said: “As if we haven’t got enough problems in this area already. “It says on the information boards that they will house vulnerable people, but we’ve heard that many of them will be used to put ex-convicts up in.

“I know it’s not PC to say this but frankly I don’t want these criminals anywhere near my kids. “Don’t get me wrong there are some dodgy locals around here but at least we know them and they realise that if they do anything we’ll come down on them like a ton of bricks.

“The reputation of Knowle West isn’t great and having these people living here will only make it worse.”. Retired cleaner Angela Salt, 69, said: “They wouldn’t think of putting this type of housing up and filling them with ex-convicts in the posh part of town, would they?.

“But it seems the council is happy to dump all the rubbish on our doorstep – and they wonder why people get upset. “I’ve got two grandchildren and like every other grandmother I don’t want them coming to any harm. “We won’t know who will be put up in these homes and it’s a worry that we can do without around here.

“There is a children’s centre opposite those new flats which is used a lot from people all over south Bristol – I just think it’s very short-sighted to put children in potential danger from whoever might be housed in these flats.”. Decorator Paul Ridgeon, 48, said: “Whether it’s homeless or ex-convicts being put up there it’s wrong.

“They say they are going to house vulnerable people but there are plenty of vulnerable people in Knowle West and we should be looking after our own first. “They claim to be social housing but I would like to know who will be using these flats because it will only cause tension if local people see outsiders getting preferential treatment over our own.”.

But Megan King, 35, who uses the Knowle West Children’s Centre just a few yards from the building site, said she has no problem with the pods. She said: “These people have to live somewhere and we should give them a chance of getting their lives back together whether they are ex-convicts for homeless people.

“The problem is that no-one wants them in their back yard but they have to go somewhere. If this is the answer then I’m all for it.”. The Zed Pods homes are described as being affordable zero-operational-carbon, energy-efficient homes which are “highly insulated” and triple-glazed, with solar roof panels.

Each apartment is occupied by a single household, with its own kitchen, bathroom and private balcony. A Bristol Council spokesperson said: “The council is committed to using innovative solutions to help tackle the housing crisis and provide safe, sustainable and secure homes for everyone in the city.

“There will be 12 Zedpod factory built modular homes on this site, six of which will provide accommodation for people who are homeless. “The other seven will be available for people on the housing register. “The development is being funded in part by the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme, and in part by Right to Buy funds.”.