Nottingham friary site homeless centre approved for second time

The building in Gordon Road dates back to the 1960s

Plans to convert a former Nottingham friary into accommodation for the homeless have been approved again.

The scheme to repurpose the building in Gordon Road, Thorneywood, was passed, but "errors of fact" in the application meant it was looked at again.

Concerns were raised about behaviour monitoring, with one councillor calling for a point of contact for residents.

The Emmanuel House charity said there would be on-site support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The plans were discussed by the city council's planning committee on Wednesday, but it was not revealed what the errors were, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Making representations before the debate, St Ann's ward councillor Corall Jenkins said: "It is questionable if satisfactory accommodation can be achieved.

"We have seen since this last meeting, a number of residents sitting outside on the streets, who are going to take up occupation there potentially, whilst residents are taking their young children to school.

"It is the view that although assisted support will be indoors, nothing will be available outdoors.

"The freedom for young people to grow and thrive will be minimised as the council seeks to integrate complex needs in an area with three schools."

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Emmanuel House, which was behind the proposals, has since specifically clarified people with "low needs" will be housed at the facility as opposed to the original "low to medium needs".

A management plan also confirmed there will be one staff member at the house at all times covering 24 hours a day, seven days a week and a caseworker working Monday to Friday.

Committee member Graham Chapman said monitoring of behaviour must be extended to the vicinity outside the premises itself.

He added there must also be a point of contact if residents wanted to raise concerns.

Six councillors voted in favour of the plans, while three voted against and two abstained.