Overnight pods for city's homeless people approved

Plans for "overnight homeless pods" have been given the green light.

Sunderland City Council approved the temporary accommodation at The Salvation Army Swan Lodge Lifehouse in the city's High Street East.

The "NAPpad" will be used to provide catered temporary accommodation and support for homeless adults aged 18 and over.

The self-contained rooms, set to be located within an existing garden area at the charity's site, have a toilet and wash facilities, a security door, power point, electric heater and LED light.

The council's planning and highways committee approved the planning application at a meeting this week, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The property would be owned by the council and managed by The Salvation Army, documents stated.

During a council public consultation exercise on the plans, there were two objections from neighbours raising concerns about crime, noise and anti-social behaviour.

Although Northumbria Police had initial concerns around "the potential for an increase in drinking and anti-social behaviour within the area", management information for the homeless pods was provided and the police objection was withdrawn.

The Labour-run council's planning department had recommended the homeless pods for approval and said they would support the council to "address homelessness and rough sleeping in the city".

After being put to the vote, the plans won unanimous support from city councillors on the panel.

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