WORK has begun to transform a Bordon community centre into studio flats for local homeless people.

Pinewood Village Hall in Rydal Close will house seven ‘pods’ providing temporary homes, with three more to be built in its garden.

Construction company Velocity RDT expects to finish by the autumn. The pods will be managed, supported and maintained by homelessness charity Two Saints.

The design incorporates photovoltaic solar panels generating renewable electricity, an i-mist fire suppression system and alarm, building sensors to monitor the health of the building, CCTV and sedum roofs for the external pods to reduce water run-off, improve insulation and encourage biodiversity.

Cllr Julie Butler, East Hampshire District Council’s welfare and community integration portfolio holder, said: “This is a brilliantly innovative solution to a serious issue.”