Former nursing home awarded permission to convert to supported living home for homeless

The former Kingsley Nursing Home, based at 18-20 Kingsley Road, had been earmarked by Keystage Housing to offer 24 hour intensive supported accommodation to individuals who are currently rough sleeping, at risk of rough sleeping or who are living in unsuitable or unstable accommodations.

Keystage applied for a change of use planning application to Northampton Borough Council in order to move the scheme forward, and it has been now been unanimously approved by councillors.

It is hoped guests will be able to be re-settled within 28 days of a stay, however occupants can stay longer if a suitable re-settlement option is not found within that time.

A report which will be read by councillors on the planning committee states: “The aim of the building is to help the service users to break negative behaviour and find a resettlement opportunity. This involves the use of social workers, care co-ordinators, drug counsellors and mental health teams, for example.”

Eleven letters from eight residents had been received objecting to the application. Their objections ranged from questioning the facilities; leading to an increase of crime and homelessness in the area; litter being thrown into neighbouring gardens; and one comment asking whether rough sleepers would be ‘imported’ from elsewhere or whether they would only be from Northampton.

A further eleven letters also supported the proposals. One states the scheme is an ‘important contribution to helping people experiencing homelessness to rebuild their lives and find and maintain a home’. Others praise the applicants as an ‘excellent and professional organisation’ and another states: “It’s important to ensure vulnerable and at risk groups are provided with temporary shelter and ongoing placement.”

The report added: “All occupiers are referred to the site, and vetted before they are accepted to stay at the property. No person approaching the building directly would be allowed admittance, with these being signposted elsewhere. No occupiers of the building are given keys, and staff escort residents into and out of the building. All staff on site, a minimum of three at any one time, have CCTV access on devices to monitor who is at doors.

It is will be yet another use for the Victorian building. It was last used as the Trinity House nursing home, but closed in 2018 after getting an ‘inadequate’ rating from the CQC. Prior to that it had been Kingsley Care Home, which also closed in 2016 after damning criticism from inspectors.

In January 2020, it had been purchased for £710,000 by CJS Care (Northampton) Ltd, which had intended to turn it into 14 supported living flats.

Speaking at the planning meeting, cabinet member for housing Councillor Stephen Hibbert spoke in favour of the scheme. He said: “I note that supported living was included in the previous planning history and was approved in 2019.

“I note the objections, but equally there are as many people who have written in to support it. In terms of the objections to the building itself, I don’t accept them at all. I’ve visited the property, it’s a fine building that has been expertly renovated and offers lots of en suite facilities. It doesn’t increase the homelessness problem, it helps solve it and provides safe and secure accommodation.”

And James O’Grady, director of Keystage Housing, added: “Imagine laying out your sodden worldly belongings in an empty doorway and hoping they will dry. There’s a great need for homeless accommodation in this area. Without positive action and willingness to make a change there’s a higher risk that more people will die unnecessarily.

“Allow us to be upstanding for those unable to stand up for themselves, and offer hope for those in despair.”

The comments were well received, and every member of the planning committee voted in favour of the scheme during the virtual meeting last night (January 21).