Housing complex for veterans ‘could be first in country’

PLANS FOR a housing complex for Armed Forces veterans that would be the first of its kind in the country are set to go before Hull councillors.

Members of Hull City Council’s planning committee are due to decide whether to approve the Hull 4 Heroes’s Veterans Village at a meeting on June 3.

The 22-acre complex would include 48 homes for veterans and their families, community space, a support hub and training facilities across two linked sites in Coronation Road North and Priory Road. The village is designed to help veterans back into civilian life.

Some residents living near the proposed site have objected over the loss of green space and concerns over a rise in traffic.

The complex would be built on the site of the now demolished Setting Dyke school and on land classed as ecologically sensitive.

Trevor Fishburn, a Veterans Village trustee, said the homes would put Hull on the map as the first city to offer such support.

Mr Fishburn said: “There’s a real shortfall in support for veterans, not only in Hull but in the country at large.

“Around 10 per cent of people in Hull are either veterans or have family ties to them.

“This village would give veterans and their families somewhere to live while they go through their transitional journey. One of the biggest problems veterans face is adjusting to civilian life after leaving the armed forced.

“Many have been in the Armed Forces from a young age and that community is very different to one other people would be used to. The Armed Forces houses soldiers and provides a lot for them while they are enlisted.

“Hull would be the first city in the country to ensure this kind of provision is available for Armed Forces veterans.”

Plans for the village include houses with up to four bedrooms for both single veterans and their families. The houses are designed to be sustainable and provide accommodation for 120 people.

A Community Support Hub would be on site where ex-personnel could get health and wellbeing support and guidance on finance, relationships and getting help from other agencies.

Careers advisers would also be on hand to help veterans apply skills acquired in the Armed Forces to civilian jobs.