Plans for 'cramped' flats for homeless people approved

Plans for ‘uncomfortably cramped’ flats for homeless people have been voted through despite concerns it signalled a return to tenement housing with ‘hardly room to swing a cat’.

A divided Tameside planning committee narrowly approved the proposals to convert Enville House in Ashton from ten bedsits into 12 one-bedroom studio flats.

The Victorian building will be used for social housing for people registered homeless or rough sleepers, which would be run by Ashton Pioneer Homes with the support of Stepping Stones Projects.

Council officers had said the plans should be rejected as the size of the flats falls below minimum space standards by a ‘significant amount’ and there would ‘little-to-no space’ for ‘normal’ activities.

Each of the proposed self-contained flats in the building, at the junction of Richmond Street and Dale Street, would have a joint bedroom and kitchenette area with an en-suite bathroom.

In their report, Tameside planning officials state: “The significantly substandard floor areas for each flat would result in an uncomfortably cramped and enclosed living environment for its future occupiers.

“All but one of the proposed flats also do not provide for built-in storage, or sufficient space for a chest of drawers or wardrobe.

“Additionally, the kitchenettes demonstrated on the floor plans comprise solely of a two unit workspace occupied by both a hob and sink area, leaving no space for food preparation or even an under counter fridge/freezer.

“Although the applicant is not required to demonstrate this level of detail on the plans, it is not clear how such basic amenities detailed above could be accommodated satisfactorily within the provided space.”

Responding to the official recommendation, Peter Marland, CEO, Ashton Pioneer Homes, said they were, together with Stepping Stone Projects, proposing to invest £600,000 into the project to provide ‘much needed accommodation and floating support for homeless people from the local area’ with 24/7 management and support.

Speaking at the planning meeting, he said that there are 10,000 people across Greater Manchester at risk of becoming, or already homeless - 531 of those in Tameside.

He added there was ‘some confusion’ as to the ‘true nature’ of the scheme that was being proposed at Enfield House.

“This type of housing is not meant to be sustainable, it’s meant to be interim,” Mr Marland told councillors. “Clients will stay here for months, not years. It does what it says on the tin. It’s a stepping stone.

“Nationally prescribed space standards would simply overwhelm the residents, it would make them feel vulnerable, it would make them vulnerable to cuckooing and other pressures. These people have nothing.

“It’s never going to be anyone’s forever home, nor is it intended to be. It’s appropriate accommodation for the needs of vulnerable people at this time.

“Of course, sadly, the demand is there. There is a need for this specialist accommodation support in Tameside, and it’s needed now.”

However, the fact the rooms fell so far below space standards prompted concern among both Conservative and Labour councillors on the panel.

Cllr Betty Affleck, Labour member for Hyde Godley ward, said: “We have got homeless people and we do need provision for them, but in my opinion this is going backwards.

“We’re going back to years ago when we had tenement buildings and shared bathrooms and hardly room to swing a cat. I think they are too small.”

Cllr Doreen Dickinson, who represents Stalybridge South for the Tories, said she felt as though she was being ‘guilt tripped’ into approving the application.

Head of planning Melanie Hale said: “I don’t think anyone would dispute that there is a need for this type of ac- commodation.

“But the standard of accommodation falls way below what we expect would be provided. We think that that outweighs the need.”

However, St Peters ward member Cllr Joyce Bowerman said the building could be providing safe temporary homes for people in ‘despair’.

“I know these rooms are small but they are not meant to be the forever for people,” she added. “They are transient people that we take off the street who have nowhere to sleep, nowhere to go and we give them a room where they can feel safe and be warm.

“I think the scheme should go ahead for that reason, we’re taking people who are living in a bus station and giving them a warm room and being able to cook. I think it’s a good project with excellent people running it.”

Committee chair Cllr David McNally moved they go against officers’ recommendations to approve the proposals.

“It’s not intended to be permanent and the small space is acceptable in these conditions to me,” he said.

The application was approved with three votes for, and two against. It will be subject to conditions - including a possible restriction of the building’s use to providing the specific type of short-term accommodation.