Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is to build a three-storey block of temporary units in a car park to house staff that are relocating to the area.

They are to be used for up to three months by staff moving to the area for work.

Debbie Richards, the Trust's chief executive said the units would help "attract people to the trust and health and social care careers in Cornwall".

She said: "One of the key pieces of feedback from our existing and new staff is the challenge of securing affordable local housing.

"I hope, by providing some of our new starters with short-term accommodation, we will enable them to settle into their new role without having to worry about where they'll live too, especially if they are new to the area."

The Zed Pods have a lockable door and can accommodate two people in separate bedrooms. They also have shared open-plan living, kitchen and dining areas and a bathroom. They are largely manufactured in factories, so they can be installed quickly.

The roofs have solar panels and there is also a solar-assisted heat pump for hot water.

Lindsey Wild, Strategic Property Manager for Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust said: "They are 'turnkey' units, which means that they are fully fitted out and furnished upon delivery and will only require minimal additional items before staff can move in." ​

Thomas Northway, chairman of Zed Pods, said: "We are extremely delighted to be working with the [trust] to design and build this ground-breaking sustainable development."

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