Plans to convert Staindrop Lodge, Chapeltown, into a permanent homeless hostel have been unanimously rejected by Sheffield Council’s Planning Committee.

As part of the hearing a Labour petition opposing the plans was presented – this had been signed by 1,346 people –  and former local councillors Andy Bainbridge and Adam Hurst spoke at the meeting calling for the application to be rejected.

The Committee agreed, and on rejecting the application Labour councillor Tony Damms, who has previously worked for the housing charity Shelter, stated that “there is a clear need to support vulnerable people in the city’ but that this application “isn’t it” and “would make matters worse”.

Cllr Peter Price also stated that there is “a duty to find homes for people but this would make things poorer – for the residents and local community”.

Following the result Andy Bainbridge, former Labour Councillor for East Ecclesfield, stated:

“I’m delighted with today’s result. I’d like to thank everyone who signed our petition objecting to these proposals. This is one of the biggest petitions in the area I’ve seen since I became a local councillor, and I think it reflects the local feeling about how inappropriate these proposals were”

“Well done to Sheffield Council for rejecting these plans, which I know will be of big relief to the local community”.

The meeting Planning Committee meeting can watched here –  https://democracy.sheffield.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=373&MId=7840