A planning application to transform the Franciscan Friary on Gordon Road in Nottingham into a 7-bed accommodation for vulnerable adults has been recommended for approval.
This initiative, led by Emmanuel House Support Centre, aims to provide a supportive environment for homeless individuals with low-level needs, facilitating their transition to long-term housing solutions.
The application site is a single-storey building built in the 1960s as a friary and
attached to the older Our Lady and St Edward Catholic Church. The application
relates to the friary building; the church is to be retained for parish use. The friary is
a flat-roofed, brick-built, square building with an internal courtyard.
The area is largely residential and there are houses to the southeast across Gordon
Road. The church is immediately to the northeast and is bordered by Our Lady and
St Edward Primary School.
A petition objecting to the proposal containing 215 signatures has been received.
The reason for the objection petition is given as follows:
“We the undersigned are against the proposal of Emmanuel House and the
Holy Family Parish, housing homeless individuals within the Old Friary. We
are requesting that the Planning Application for change of use of the Old
Friary is refused. The Community voice believes that the location is not
appropriate to its location, in close proximity of 3 schools, Marmion Park and
in the middle of a housing estate.”
There also is a petition in support of the proposal, signed by 294 people supporting the statement which reads:
Please sign below if you support the project which will lease the presbytery at Our Lady & St Edward’s Church to Emmanuel House for short-term accommodation for low-risk homeless people. This provision will house up to 7 people, will be staffed 24/7 by Emmanuel House and will enable the parish to have the building used, whilst retaining our community meeting space at the front of the building.
The proposal includes minor internal renovations and the erection of a 3-meter boundary fence to ensure privacy and security.
Despite mixed community reactions, including objections concerning the proximity to schools and potential for anti-social behavior, the project has received support for addressing homelessness with a sustainable and compassionate approach.
The proposal will be decided at a Nottingham City Council planning committee meeting on 21 February.
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