Unanimous approval for continued use of emergency night shelter in Northampton

The emergency night shelter has offered accommodation for up to 20 men who are rough sleeping each night for the last three years.

But that stay needed to be extended as temporary planning permission was due to expire, and a two-year extension was agreed by Northampton Borough Council’s planning committee on Tuesday (February 18).

Open from 9pm until 9am, the emergency night shelter is based at the former British Rail Sports and Social Club on St Andrew’s Road and operated by two full-time members of staff who are assisted by a team of volunteers.

The cost of operating the centre is funded by the borough council, and is aimed at identifying rough sleepers and encouraging them onto health and wellbeing programmes and, eventually, a permanent home.

About 28 people were sleeping rough in Northampton in November 2019, with a further 16 identified as living in group encampments in various locations. Visitors to the shelter are offered a floor space, washroom facilities and light refreshments in the morning.

Since it opened in February 2017, the night shelter has provided 358 homeless men with somewhere to stay, with two thirds of these having moved on into permanent accommodation.

Speaking at the planning meeting at The Guildhall, Councillor Jane Birch supported the plans by saying: “It’s well run and there’s no comments from the police about anti-social behaviour. It’s much needed and I would like to see it continue.”

The committee quickly approved the application unanimously.