A proposal to support homeless people in Glastonbury by developing new accommodation has been redirected after Somerset Council turned down the plans. Bath-based Julian House had sought permission to build four one-bedroom 'move on' units in the car park of St Edmund's Community Hall, located on the eastern edge of town. However, following concerns from local residents, Somerset Council's planning committee east unanimously rejected the application, citing potential impacts on the hall's operations and safety risks to nearby residents.

Somerset Council's planning committee east (which handles major applications in the former Mendip area) unanimously voted to refuse permission in early-June, arguing it would damage the hall's viability and put existing residents of the Windmill Hill area at risk.

The charity, which provides support to around 2,000 people every year across the south west, has now revealed it is buying up four properties across the former district to provide supported accommodation for local people recovering from homelessness.

Each of the four properties will provide accommodation for single homeless people,  who will be provided a support worker to help them get their lives back on track.

Residents are expected to stay for one to two years before moving in to their own homes.

Up to £740,000 towards the cost of acquiring the properties will be provided by Homes England – funding which had originally been earmarked for the Glastonbury site.

Proposed Site Of Four One Bedroom Homes At St. Edmund's Community Hall On Chinnock Street In Glastonbury. CREDIT: Armstrong Architecture.

Julian House chief executive Helen Bedser said: "We were disappointed when planning permission for modular homes was rejected, as we believe that the model presents a really innovative solution to the clear crisis of rough sleeping, homelessness, and housing insecurity in Somerset.

"We understand local people's concerns about the potential impact on their community.

"There will probably never be a 'perfect' site for this project – but it is our job to give a voice to, and advocate for, people who have been through the terrible experience of homelessness and rough sleeping.

"Homelessness is devastating for individuals and families, but also the communities we live in.

"Urgent action is needed to alleviate the housing crisis, including more affordable and social homes and investment in homelessness support services.

"That's why we're so pleased that Homes England agreed to us using planned funding for these properties across Mendip."

Rough sleeping in Somerset has risen by 19 per cent in a single year, according to recent government figures.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner MP announced £10m of emergency funding on Wednesday (November 6) to help local authorities provide direct support for the homeless this winter, on top of £233m within the Labour government's first budget to tackle homelessness more strategically.

Ms Rayner said: "Anyone forced to sleep rough on our streets represents a complete failure of the broken system we've inherited. It's a national disgrace, and we can't keep sticking plasters on it.

"We are approaching the harshest months of the year which is why we are taking immediate action to reach anyone sleeping rough and help them off the streets this winter."

Somerset Council will receive £137,448 of this £10m allocation, but has not confirmed precisely how this will be spent in the coming weeks and months.

A spokesman said: "The funding is to help manage the additional winter pressures for rough sleepers so the money will be ring-fenced to this group of individuals.

"The specifics of how these monies will be used are actively being discussed."

Ms Bedser said that she remained hopeful that modular housing could be delivered elsewhere in Somerset in the near-future to help tackling homelessness and the housing crisis.

She said: "There is such a high demand for housing in Somerset, and not enough homes to go around.

"We are committed to investing in innovative solutions to the housing crisis and stand ready to work with the council and other partners to make it happen.

"Our work over the last two years will not be wasted and we'll continue to look for new sites where we can make modular homes work.

"If you've got the land, we've got the plans."

For more information on Julian House's work, visit www.julianhouse.org.uk.