Plans to build charity housing in Worthing recommended for approval
Homelessness charity, Turning Tides, wants to demolish a Victorian house on Clifton Road and replace it with 13 flats for those about to "end their journey out of homelessness"
Plans to build 13 flats in Worthing which would be run by a homelessness charity are to be considered by the borough council.
An application from Worthing Homes to demolish a Victorian house in Clifton Road and replace it with a three-storey block of flats will be put to a meeting of the planning committee on Wednesday (June 23).
If approved, it will be run by Turning Tides under a 40-year lease arrangement as low-support accommodation ‘for people who are at the end of their journey out of homelessness'.
Turning Tides was established 30 years ago and is one of the largest providers of homelessness services in West Sussex.
The council received 15 letters of objection to the application, with concerns including increased noise, the loss of the Victorian building and the ‘adverse social impact’ some felt the flats and their tenants would have on the area.
Planning officers, though, have recommended the plans be approved.
A report to the planning committee said:
“The proposed redevelopment would allow for an effective and sustainable use of the site to meet a particular and well-evidenced priority need.”
As for the concerns about the future tenants, the report said a Turning Tides support worker would visit the flats every weekday to offer support and carry out checks.
On top of that, each resident would be provided with a support plan and would have to sign an agreement laying out the rules and expectations.
The report added:
“Turning Tides are also contactable by the local community, and state that they encourage communication and a positive working relationship with local residents and neighbours.”