Two planning applications for supported housing accommodation in Baldock have been granted temporary permission by North Herts Council.

At a meeting of the Planning Control Committee on Thursday, December 1, two applications by Haven First for accommodation at 20 High Street, Baldock, were granted permission for three years.

The accommodation will be used to house local people who are homeless, and is on the site formerly occupied by Templars restaurant and hotel.

Homelessness has been an issue in the spotlight in North Herts recently, with the Lord Lister Hotel in Hitchin controversially being turned into supported accommodation and the number of homeless people in North Herts declining between 2020-21 and 2021-22.

One of Haven First's applications was for the retention of 19 rooms, while the second application was for an additional 10 rooms, meaning there will be 29 in total.

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They were approved with conditions including:

  • The building must be vacated by 31 December 2025, as residents will be moved into a permanent facility within three years
  • A CCTV system to monitor the side passageway must be installed
  • A lock system for ground floor bedroom doors which have access to the side passageway must be installed

The applications met with criticism from some local residents. According to the development and conservation manager's report, 77 residents responded to the consultation with objections and only one responded in support of the applications.

Cllr Weeks, who opposed the proposals and called them into the Planning Control Committee, says that among the concerns sent to him by residents were: 

  • Aggressive begging, especially of the vulnerable
  • Taking of drinks and drugs by inhabitants around the site
  • Drug dealing
  • Residents purchasing alcohol for young people
  • Feeling unsafe when out in the town centre

Cllr Weeks said: "I called this issue into the committee because I believe that the majority of residents in Baldock didn't want these applications to go ahead. 

"Those 50 or so Baldock residents present on Thursday and, I would say, the vast majority of the Baldock community are extremely angry at last night's decision."

Cllr Tom Tyson, vice-chair of the Planning Control Committee, explained: “The committee determined last night that the proposed design of the building was suitable to provide supported accommodation for homeless individuals over the three-year period in question.

"The decision to approve these applications was based on planning considerations which regulate the use, not the user, of the building.

“I fully understand and appreciate the concerns of local people in relation to this scheme and would like to assure residents that the council will work with all relevant agencies to make sure the scheme is a success and ensure residents get all the appropriate support they require.”

Cllr Sean Prendergast, executive member for housing and environmental health, said: "The decision of the planning committee means that those most vulnerable and at risk of homelessness can continue to be provided with safe and stable accommodation with the support they need to rebuild their lives.

"Of course, we are sympathetic to local concerns, but considering this is a temporary use while a permanent facility is being built, and that the council has a legal duty to provide accommodation for those in need – which the newly adopted Local Plan reinforces – there were no valid planning grounds to refuse it.

"We will continue to work with the provider to ensure it works as closely as possible with the community to alleviate any concerns they have and so that the scheme provides the best possible outcomes for its residents."

An earlier version of this story included unsubstantiated comments regarding Cllr Alistair Willoughby and Cllr Tom Tyson, which have now been removed. We would like to apologise for any distress caused.