11 self-contained apartments for homeless and vulnerable to be built in Tavistock
They should be ready for use by mid 2023
Plans to provide fit for purpose accommodation for the homeless and vulnerable in Tavistock have drawn unanimous backing.
West Devon Borough Council’s hub committee on Tuesday afternoon backed plans to authorise the council’s head of assets to submit a full planning for the redevelopment of the 1-2 Spring Hill site in Tavistock.
The scheme would see the existing provision demolished and replaced with 11 new self-contained apartments with a mix of range of one and two bedroom units to maximise flexibility for users, including a ground floor staff office and bin store, and a rear courtyard to provide safe outdoor space for residents.
The building is currently divided into nine self-contained flats, but councillors heard the current layout is operationally inefficient to support the housing needs, and as the standard of living currently provided is not fit for purpose, seven of the nine units have been empty since 2018.
"The present building is not fit for purpose and the aim is to create 11 self-contained apartments on the site. We are seeking agreement to submit plans to rebuild on the site to provide the accommodation we need for homeless families, and this something we are proposing would be a real benefit."
Cllr Neil Jory - Leader of West Devon Borough Council
"There is a real need for this accommodation and it is understood by us all. I sincerely hope that while we carefully address any heritage concerns, we do not allow this to hinder the progress of much needed temporary accommodation for residents across the borough."
Cllr Christopher Edmonds
Dan Field, project manager, senior specialist (assets), in his report to the meeting, added that the project and the recommended approach, represents the council’s ambition and commitment to providing the highest quality homeless accommodation provision possible at this site for the district.
He said: "Following extensive feasibility studies and engagement with both the planning authority and the council’s housing team, the preferred and recommended option is to demolish the existing building, with a partial reuse of the existing material in the construction of a new building on a larger footprint.
"The range of housing need that the authority encounters is broad and includes the need for provision for families, young people leaving the care system and single homeless persons with additional support needs; as well as those requiring adaptations to meet their physical requirements. The current Springhill building does not lend itself to this mixed use and it is essential that we are able to access a range of accommodation options to ensure the health and wellbeing of homeless households is safeguarded.
"The temporary accommodation function is currently provided through Bed and Breakfasts, hotels and holiday accommodation, often out of borough, causing much disruption to people’s lives and at a considerable expense to the public purse, and the demand for temporary accommodation is currently on the rise, a trend likely to continue."
The Hub Committee unanimously agreed to authorise the head of assets to submit a full planning application, with July 2 listed as a target date for it to be validated by, with a target decision made on whether to grant permission by October 2021, with the aim for the building to be redeveloped by the middle of 2023.
The property had been leased to Westward Housing since 1989 to continue to provide accommodation for homeless households nominated by the council, and a covenant states that the council is not allowed to use a building on the land for any purpose other than for the homeless.
In 2019, the council took back possession of one and two Spring Hill, following the termination of a long term lease,
Councillors had previously been told the project would cost in the region of £1.2m, and the committee agreed that the business case would be finalised following the granting of a planning consent and then presented to both the Hub Committee and Council for financial approval at a later date.