A new supported living building will aim to get 20 homeless men off the streets of Nottingham.
Framework Housing Association developed plans for the new 20-flat development at 10 Alpine Street, Old Basford.
The proposal was granted permission by Nottingham City Council yesterday (29 January).
The site was once Lee House, which had been used as a lace factory, but the buildings are currently vacant. These will be demolished to make room for the new block.
Framework is a charity providing housing and support for the homeless, with the plans forming part of the Single Homeless Accommodation Programme.
This scheme seeks to help rough sleepers unable or unwilling to get housing, those who are in between rough sleeping, and those living longer term in short-term accommodation.
Staff will be on-site 24/7 with controlled access to provide support for the residents, along with CCTV to “avoid detrimental impact on the local community,” according to Framework.
The design of the development was changed in October 2023 after a planning officer raised concerns over the quality of living space in the units, daylight, and external details.
Previous designs included a combination of studios and flats with separate bedrooms, but the approved updated plans consist of all units being a studio layout with a separate shower room and a single living space with a kitchenette.
Planning papers say: “This retains the self-contained nature of the units but allows more space for movement compared to the flats, where the separate rooms were constrained by the narrow width.”
Documents also state that the main living spaces in the units all have “sufficient daylight,” with window sizes being increased.
Dave Newmarch, Framework’s Corporate Services Director, said: “Our Alpine Street scheme in Basford is a vital part of Framework’s programme to address homelessness in Nottingham, so we are very pleased that the council has granted planning consent.”
Mr Newmarch said the charity is “most grateful” to the council for a £200,000 contribution towards the scheme, allowing it to become “financially viable.”
He added: “The principal funder is the government’s Single Homeless Accommodation Project; however, without the city’s additional help, and despite Framework’s own contribution, we would not be able to proceed.
“With local shops, a tram stop, and other amenities nearby, the scheme is well located to enable residents to engage with the wider community and put their lives back together.
“By regenerating a disused industrial space, it is good to know we are making a positive contribution to the local neighbourhood.”
Framework hopes the new block will be ready “sometime in 2026,” with the total cost of the scheme being £4,479,000.
The accommodation block will have a main entrance on Alpine Street and one on Church Street, which is expected to be used less.
The new accommodation will also help towards the council’s Homelessness Prevention Strategy.
Figures from Framework Housing Association in early 2023 stated that there were 729 people rough sleeping – already a 21 per cent increase on the previous two years.
As of December, figures from the council in the annual street count showed 56 people were found sleeping rough in the city each night on average. In early 2023, it was estimated that around 40 people were sleeping on the city’s streets.
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