Homes agreed for rough sleepers at Weymouth Park & Ride
The site will initially accommodate up to 12 people
Homes for rough sleepers have been agreed for Weymouth’s Park and Ride site.
Initially up to 12 people could be accommodated on the Mount Pleasant site using the overflow car parking area close to the entrance of the site.
Five further units could follow if funding can be secured by the Bus Shelter project, which will lease the area from Dorset Council.
Dorset Council has agreed planning consent for a temporary use of the site, expected to be until the end of January 2028.
The first phase, which could begin later this year, will see three purpose-built units, each split into four individual self-contained rooms. Each will have electricity and water, along with a bed, toilet facilities, shower – with a shared social area, kitchen and workshop/learning centre, all within a compound.
The existing shelter bus would be used for office accommodation and storage, also providing space for meetings.
Area planning committee members were told on Tuesday that the maximum time people could stay on the site was two years – with help offered to assist them gain employment and more permanent accommodation.
Ward councillor Louie O’Leary proposed the application, describing it as “a clever plan for a worthwhile cause.” He said the previous site had been tucked away and had its difficulties with power and water.
Cllr Jean Dunseith she said it would give rough sleepers support and the benefit of a settled address which would help them access other services and support.
“I do hope they can get the funding for the second phase of five micro-flats. I think they would be very useful,” she said.
Said Cllr John Worth:
“The bus shelter was excellent but this is the next step forward. It’s a very much needed and welcomed facility.”
The initial three units will have the appearance of shipping containers – each 14x3metres with the second phase, if it can be funded, using smaller units of 9x3metres. Each will be connected to mains services.
Councillors heard that although the units are designed to be stacked on top of each other that was not intended and the site should not be obtrusive although it will be just 25m from the trailway which leads to the sea and 90m from the business park.
Work is continuing on a survey to check is any gases are leaking from the former landfill site, but the committee heard that, although not yet complete, it had not identified any cause for concern.
In the application for the project the Bus Shelter said:
“The individual accommodation pods would provide first stop accommodation for rough sleepers and those at risk of rough sleeping, with guests being referred to the Bus by Dorset Council, The Lantern Trust and Julian House, affording them the opportunity to reflect on their life and future aspirations.
“The micro flats would offer both aspiration and an opportunity for guests to become more independent whilst continuing to receive arms-length support on site from the team familiar to them and with whom they have built trusting relationships.”
Councillors were told that guests would be required to engage with staff take part in support reviews. An agreement would be in place to ensure evictions, should that be needed.