Flats arrived on the site of a controversial homeless development on Tuesday, despite developers having no planning permission yet.
Newport's Hill Street car park is the site of a proposed development of 12 "modular units" which will be used to house people who are experiencing homelessness.
Developers are using permitted development rights to continue with work while a new planning application is submitted.
Read more stories from Newport here.
Linc Cymru is running the project in partnership with Newport City Council. They will be resubmitting a revised planning application after the scheme was refused by the council's planning committee back in December 2021.
Developers secured Welsh Government funding to build the new permanent homes on the underused part of Hill Street Car Park in the City’s St Woolos neighbourhood. The housing association then applied to build 12 low-energy, modular homes for local people living in temporary accommodation.
But in December the Council’s own planning committee voted by 5-4 to refuse the application even though the council’s planning officers had recommended the proposal was approved.
Now, construction continues on the site under permitted development rights. Linc will have to secure planning permission within 12 months of work starting or will be forced to remove the development.
Local residents have mixed views on the development.
Betty Smith, 72, said: "I have no problem with it. It was always going to happen. They have got to go somewhere - not everyone is lucky to have a place to live.
"You have got to give people a chance and give them a place to start."
Another resident said: "We are completely against it. This is supposed to be a town centre and should stay as a car park. Children used to play over there too.
"We are worried about our house prices as well - one of our neighbours has even decided to move away."
Like the original plans, the revised proposal is for a two-storey building with 12 one-person, permanent apartments with decking and balcony space. The new building is located on the eastern side of the Hill Street Car Park, retaining 28 of the existing car parking spaces to the west.
The new homes are high-quality, low-carbon, low-cost and extremely quick to build once on-site, which means there is less disruption to the local community during the construction period.
The modular units began to arrive on-site from Tuesday, February 8, afternoon.
Ray Vandermeer, 71, owns Park Garage just around the corner from Hill Street car park. He said: "We weren't told about them going in there. It won' affect us as much because we can just leave at the end of the day but I feel for the local residents."
One neighbour said: "They started removing parts of the car park before we really knew about the development. Now they are moving the houses in and they might have to take it down in a year if they don't get approval. It seems like such a waste of money.
"We have already had so much problems in the local area, with crime and antisocial behaviour, that I am worried this will increase with 12 new people moving in. Car parking will also be a big issue without that space."
Another resident added: "This area falls within a conservation area- there are strict rules even on what types of windows I could put on my house. So I wonder why 12 units can be built which don't fit with the area.
"In my opinion, it's just not the right location for it. The parking is already a nightmare here, and it's really quiet here at night, which I worry would change with 12 new people. "
According to Newport City Council there are 9,000 people on its housing waiting list, with 388 people living in costly temporary accommodation. The proposal would provide high-quality, permanent and secure homes for 12 of those homeless people.
The site is located near several charities and services for vulnerable people. Eden Gate is a charity that helps people in the community who are experiencing homelessness or are vulnerable in other ways.
Fran Richley, operations manager at Eden Gate, said: "I think the site is a positive thing for Newport. It will be important as it provides people with more permanent accommodation, who will still then be able to access support from charities like Eden Gate.
"Everything that can be done to assist them to get a permanent home is a good thing. Something like this gives people hope. People get themselves in difficult situations for all sorts of reasons. It's a good thing which is much needed and I welcome it.
"I think this place is as good as anywhere else. It's an effective use of the space. From our perspective, it still gives people chance to use our services and access support."
Louise Attwood, Linc’s Executive Director of Property and Commercial Development said: “At Linc, we’re committed to playing our part in solving the housing crisis in Wales and we know just how important a home can be in supporting people to enjoy happy, healthy lives
“According to Newport City Council there are 9,000 people on its housing waiting list. The homes that have been delivered to Hill Street Car Park today, provide an excellent solution to the need for permanent homes in Newport, giving people a safe, secure and comfortable place to live.
“Today’s delivery shows how we can provide 12 people who are currently homeless, with a permanent place to call home.
"Zed Pod homes are built with high energy-efficient performance standards, ensuring low energy consumption and cheaper running costs. They have been manufactured offsite and are extremely quick to build once onsite, helping to minimise disruption to local residents.
"The final design of the homes will appear considerably different to what you see today, instead looking more like a traditional row of terraces, which will help them to fit in with the look and feel of the local area.”
The new homes are high-quality, low-carbon, low-cost and extremely quick to build once on site, which means there is less disruption to the local community during the construction period.
A spokesperson for Newport City Council said: "Linc Cymru is allowed to create 12 self-contained flats on part of the Hill Street car park using permitted development rights. These were introduced to enable the provision of much-needed accommodation.
"A full planning application was refused by the planning committee in December but this does not affect the work being undertaken under the permitted development rights.
"We understand Linc intends to resubmit a revised planning application which will be considered by the planning committee in due course.
"If planning permission is not granted by the committee, the social landlord can appeal the decision. If consent is not given, then the development has to be removed within 12 months of work starting on site.
"As with the first application, the committee will consider any responses submitted by interested parties including the residents.
"Linc will manage the tenancies and appropriate support will be given to residents who need it, to enable them to have a more stable and secure life. The aim would be to help them obtain longer-term accommodation where they could live independently."
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