PLANS for 16 micro-homes on an old car park in Worcester have been approved - despite objections from neighbours.

The iKozie micro-homes, trialled in Worcester last year, will be built first and then lowered into the site of a former car park behind Cecil Road in the city.

Five of the micro-homes would be for single people on Worcester City Council’s social housing list and the remaining 11 would be put on the market to rent.

The prefabricated homes, which measure at 17.25 square metres and include a kitchen, bathroom and lounge area, would be arranged in a U-shape behind Cecil Road.

Of the 16 micro-homes, 14 would be the standard size and two would be larger to allow for wheelchair access.

Kieran O’Donnell, director of iKozie, said: “The approval of the first iKozie community will draw a lot of attention from around the country and Worcester City Council is to be congratulated for its vision in supporting this innovative housing scheme.

“It hasn’t been an easy road to get here as we have revised the plans to ensure the council’s view and the thoughts and concerns of residents near the development have been taken into consideration.”

More than 60 objections were made against the plan citing parking issues, loss of privacy, inappropriate design and overdevelopment as reasons for approval to be refused.

Residents in neighbouring Cecil Road would have their gardens cut to make way for the homes – leaving each house with around 11 metres of garden.

Officers at the city council said the micro-homes would not be tall enough and are sufficiently far away to not restrict light or disturb people.