My Space Housing Solutions is a charity which helps ex-offenders and people rehabilitating after care in mental health institutions.
They have plans to transform the former Acorns care home on Welholme Road which has been empty for nearly two years.
- Fit-Out Yorkshire Ltd is creating nine two-bedroomed apartments. A planning application was submitted to turn one of the apartments into an office.
The Acorns on Welholme Road opposite the People's Park in Grimsby will have nine
Lib Dem Councillor for Park ward, Ian Barfield, has raised concerns about the impact in the desirable area next to People's Park.
Councillor Barfield said:
"This building has had planning approved for conversion to nine two bedroom dwellings. It has further had planning approved to covert one of those units to an office.
"It has come to our attention that the property is to be operated by My Space Housing Solutions who offer accommodation to difficult-to-place, vulnerable individuals. Often those who have had additional problems and or a criminal past.
"Whilst we realise these people need, and are entitled to, accommodation we believe that the location of this development is in a completely inappropriate area and that it is of an inappropriate density. It is opposite Peoples Park, which does have significant ASB problems already and too many vulnerable people will be concentrated within the same building.
"We are also worried about the possibility that the organisation may bring clients into the accommodation from outside of the borough. We feel it is important that the local residents are made fully aware of this development as it could, if not handled carefully, result in an increase of ASB in a area where it is already far too high."
Cllr Barfield said councillors were unaware of whether a need assessment had been carried out and if clients of the charity will be coming from outside of North East Lincolnshire.
"We think it is unsuitable because of the position and unsuitable because of the density. If they are ex-prisoners and ex-addicts or a combination of these people together, it raises concerns for residents. We also want to know why they need two-bedroomed apartments when there is an acute shortage in North East Lincolnshire due to the bedroom tax," said Councillor Barfield.
vulnerable people (Image: Grimsby Live)
Cllr Barfield added:
"There are plenty of people who we represent who are struggling with low-paid jobs and have rents and bills to pay who will ask why such vulnerable people are provided with accommodation in a highly desirable area and they may come from out of the area. Why hasn't there been an assessment of what we need in this area?"