Plan to convert student flats for homeless people

Plans have been lodged to turn former student flats at The Tannery in Shrewsbury into homeless accommodation

Proposed new homeless accommodation will "improve lives" and save Shropshire Council £1.7m a year, the authority says.

An application has been lodged to convert former student flats at The Tannery, Shrewsbury, into supported accommodation for up to 60 people.

The council agreed to convert its purpose-built student flats in the summer, after the University Centre Shrewsbury ceased to operate in the town.

"The proposed use will significantly improve quality of life for people who are currently homeless in Shrewsbury," the application said.

The scheme, lodged by council-backed house builder Cornovii Developments, would provide temporary accommodation alongside specialist council support services to help residents move on to somewhere permanent, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The application added the council did not currently have sufficient supported accommodation and incurred "significant costs" in providing homeless residents with bed and breakfast, private rented, or social properties.

Plans state the scheme would be staffed round-the-clock by at least two members of staff, and antisocial behaviour would result in eviction.

The management plan also says residents who are deemed "high-risk" or with a history of arson would not be accommodated.

Similarly, rough sleepers with difficulties in transitioning from the street to regular accommodation would continue to be housed in an existing specialist site elsewhere.

"Staff on site will be responsible for the maintenance, site access, security and housing support for residents," the application said.

It will be decided by the planning authority in due course.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.