New homes for vulnerable adults raise safety concerns among Spennymoor residents. Loss of green space is also controversial.
The homes will be off Merrington View. Two buildings will hold four homes each. Every home will be two stories tall. Each will have a garden, plus parking. A site manager will live in one home.
They will support residents all day and night. After two years, tenants ideally move on. They would then need less support elsewhere.
Councillor McAloon wants a planning committee to review. He is concerned for nearby people’s safety. He also cites the loss of green space as a concern. Twelve objection letters arrived. Only one person wrote in support.
McAloon stated residents feel unsafe. They worry about vulnerable neighbors in bungalows. The green space loss also upsets them. It had new trees planted recently. He thinks a planning committee should decide.
The council said that Spennymoor was identified. Data showed a need for this housing. It is for the south of the county. The planning department wants the plans approved. A committee meeting will take place soon.
The council will manage the buildings directly. They hired a support provider to aid clients. The council will assess all residents closely. They will listen to police, doctors or veteran services.
Risks will be assessed carefully. Focus will be on staff and residents safety. The wider community’s safety matters too. Seven adults will live there who need assistance. It will help end rough sleeping, as the government promised.
Support staff occupy the eighth unit. They will provide care 24/7, every day. CCTV monitoring equipment will be there too. The project’s goal is intense support. It can last up to two years. It helps people gain life skills. Then, they can move to mainstream housing.