Homeless shelter plan came ‘out of the blue’
RESIDENTS VOICE CONCERNS
CONFUSED residents have spoken out after being contacted by a charity wanting to create ‘supported accommodation’ on their street.
All Saints Homeless Shelter sent a letter to residents on Stoke Lane, Gedling on September 17, informing them they would be taking over the former Stoke House care home.
The letter stated that “All Saints Homeless Shelter offers temporary accommodation to its residents, until permanent housing can be found for them.
“We will have staff on site 24 hours a day, during the day support workers will be actively working with the residents to assist them with personal development and finding permanent housing.”
In response, an urgent meeting was called to discuss proposals within the community on September 20, with councillors saying they had not been made aware of the plans.
Gedling Borough Council’s planning department had not received any applications for the planning permission required for the change.
Conservative Gedling Borough Councillor Sam Smith and Councillor Mike Adams, who represent the Trent Valley Ward said in a joint statement:
“We were made aware that the All Saints Homeless Shelter intend to take over Stoke House, to offer temporary accommodation to homeless people, by Stoke Lane residents who had received a letter from the organisation on Friday.
“We have since been in contact with Gedling Borough’s planning department to express concern about the lack of consultation our residents have received.
“Gedling Borough Council have not received any planning applications and, like us, were not previously aware of the proposals. A change of use from a care home (Class C2) to a hostel (Sui Generis) requires planning permission and an Enforcement and Compliance Officer from Gedling Borough Council is now taking the relevant action.
“If a planning application is submitted by All Saints Homeless Shelter then a formal consultation period will begin and we will be encouraging all our residents to take part.”
Residents have spoken out about their concerns.
One resident said: “I can’t sleep. The plans have come out of the blue, I live by myself, there’s hardly any information about what exactly is going on.
“There’s elderly people in the bungalows on Coronation Walk, schools and on such a street, here is completely the wrong place.”
Susan Smith, retired, from Netherfield explained how she has her “foot in both camps” about the plans.
Despite not living on Stoke Lane, Ms Smith still lives in the area and told the Post: “On Stoke Lane, I feel it’s a little select, I can’t imagine that they would be okay with that, it’s on the edge of the countryside.
“I’m shocked but what right does anyone have to say ‘not in my backyard?’”
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous told the Post: “It’s not right. There are a number of people trying to sell their houses on this street and it’s going to be no fault of their own when their houses are devalued.
“No one has contacted us in advance to tell us about these ridiculous plans.” The Post visited the property listed as the company’s office in Wiverton Road but no one was available for comment.
The lease holder of the building confirmed that the property was being let out but said that he could not disclose anything about who was leasing the property.
I can’t sleep. There’s hardly any information about what exactly is going on
Stoke Lane resident