Student halls to house people facing homelessness

Councillors described the Barker Street building as "almost custom-made" for the purpose

Former student halls in Shrewsbury will become temporary homeless accommodation after plans were approved by Shropshire Council’s cabinet.

The council-owned Tannery East building on Barker Street has been described by councillors as "almost custom made" for the purpose.

The halls are empty after University Centre Shrewsbury decided to end on-site teaching in the town earlier this year.

Shropshire Council wants to reduce the amount of money it spends on emergency bed and breakfast accommodation from about £3.5m in the last financial year.

Councillor Dean Carroll said it would provide a "vastly increased and better service" while saving the authority money in future.

People would get far better support as they would be in specific accommodation, and their safety would significantly increase, he said, due to the presence of an on-site concierge service and housing staff.

Mr Carroll added that the authority would be able to reclaim the full cost of the service for each individual, which it is unable to do when a person is housed in a bed and breakfast.

Liberal Democrat group leader Roger Evans said he had reservations, as the halls are close to the town’s main nightlife spots, and wanted to know how the council was going to manage the building.

"No visitors will be permitted on site and that will be controlled strictly by the on-site concierge service," said Mr Carroll.

As the halls are made up of self-contained compartments, they are ideal for the proposed purpose, added the councillor.

The council will submit a planning application for a change of use for the building for a three year period.

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