A homeless support charity has announced it will sell a planned facility in Bridgwater, citing concerns that the building cannot offer a safe and supportive environment for its residents.
Arc, formerly known as Taunton Action for the Homeless, initially applied in March 2022 to convert the former Tower House B&B at 27 Wembdon Road into an eight-bedroom house of multiple occupation (HMO). The application received planning permission from Sedgemoor District Council’s development committee in September 2022.
Following this, Arc sought to amend the approval to reduce staff presence during evenings and weekends. Originally, the property was to be staffed 24/7, but the charity proposed having experienced housing management and support workers only during weekday hours. Evening and weekend monitoring would rely on live CCTV streamed to a control centre, with security and support staff deployed as needed.
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However, Somerset Council’s planning committee north deferred a decision on the amendment in June, citing public safety concerns. A final ruling was scheduled for a meeting on August 12.
In a statement released on August 6, Arc confirmed it had conducted a comprehensive review of the property and its location. The charity concluded that Tower House was not the best option to meet the needs of homeless individuals in Bridgwater.
“We have decided to withdraw our interest in Tower House and will no longer seek changes to the planning consent granted in 2022,” said an Arc spokesperson. “Instead, we intend to sell the property.”
The charity emphasized its ongoing commitment to working with the local community to identify alternative accommodation options to address the rising levels of rough sleeping and homelessness in Bridgwater. Arc also highlighted its aim to combat stigma and prejudice by showcasing the positive impact of well-designed accommodation and support services.