PEOPLE living in a residential area of Somerset were shocked to discover their local inn had been converted into a homeless shelter almost two months prior to first being consulted.
Julian House are now utilising The Dusthole in Shepton Mallet as part of their Off the Streets Accommodation sites across the South West.
Those living near to the inn were appalled when a consultation meeting had to be set up by a neighbour to inform other locals of the new homeless shelter, over a month after the now confirmed opening date of August 2.
Recipients of the invite to the consultation meeting were only given two days notice.
Since Julian House took over the premises, several alleged incidents of anti social behaviour have taken place surrounding The Dusthole and across Shepton Mallet.
Councillor Bente Height from Somerset Council stated some women and vulnerable individuals in the Garston Street and Leg Square areas have become afraid to leave their houses, with some going as far as to leave Shepton Mallet in fear for their own safety.
Residents were concerned to find out that the premises is only staffed between the hours of 8am and 8pm, which has reportedly led to alleged drunk and disorderly behaviour.
Locals felt blindsided by the opening of the shelter, and many questioned whether the proper procedures regarding planning permission and approval were followed in order to facilitate the conversion from inn to Julian House site.
Cllr Bente East confirmed: "I can say truthfully that as far as I know, nobody that I have been speaking to has heard of the news of the conversion from the pub to a homeless shelter."
In an email sent by Somerset Council's Planning Enforcement Officer (Planning East), seen by the County Gazette, it was revealed that there was in fact a breach of planning control.
A Somerset Council investigation into the current use of The Dusthole, which is actually registered under the name "The King's Arms", found that the new Julian House site had violated S149 of the 2010 Equality Act.
"S149 of the 2010 Equality Act requires public bodies to consider and where appropriate mitigate the impact of policies which might disproportionally impact on particular groups or persons," the email read.
However, despite the breach of control, the investigation concluded: "There is no evidence that the unauthorised pattern of use is leading to any identifiable harm for neighbouring residents to the site and/or occupiers of the facility."
The email continued: "On this basis, at the present time, it is not considered expedient or in the public interest to seek to control or require cessation of the unauthorised pattern of use of the building.
"Furthermore, the LPA has up to ten years to commence formal action against an unauthorised change of use should it wish to do so."
The rationale for this conclusion stated the following reasons:
- Initiative is supported and encouraged by central government to reduce UK homelessness numbers.
- Julian House is a respected southwest charity with many years expertise in the homeless sector.
- Premises and residents are well managed with robust strategies and policies.
- Premises are providing a valuable service in reducing wider anti-social behaviour and proactively seeking to help vulnerable members of our community.
- Except for a recent event involving one evicted resident, there is little evidence of the change of use with residents being quiet and respectful of their surroundings and immediate neighbours.
- Due to the lack of physical changes and a regularly renewed alcohol licence, the premises could revert to their approved use at short notice.
Since the investigation and learning of the local residents' concerns, Julian House have sent round a double-sided seven page letter to all living near to the new site, written by the charity's Chief Executive, Helen Bedser.
In an official statement sent to the County Gazette, Julian House addressed the situation which caused the site to open without any prior consultation of those in the area: "In line with normal good practice Julian House prepared a notification of intent letter which should have been distributed to neighbours in the vicinity, ahead of the service opening.
"This explained the service that we intended to provide and a clear lines of communication, for comment and concern.
"Sadly, due to crossed wires and miscommunication this didn’t happen.
"Julian House is preparing a detailed response to neighbours’ concerns and this will include an apology for that original mistake.
"In our subsequent rush to meet them and have a proper dialogue we should have given more notice of the consultation meeting."
The charity then clarified that they will be recruiting extra staff to supervise the site at night time, in response to reports of anti-social behaviour:
"Julian House has been supporting vulnerable individuals for over 30 years and today manages projects like the Dusthole Off the Streets Accommodation, across the South West."
"The staffing commitment there at the moment is from 0800 – 2000, with a concierge service overnight.
"Although the premises have been used for a similar purpose over the last few years by Council, this enhanced support service, managed by Julian House, is still relatively new.
"We are keen that the clients who receive support there do not cause any issues locally and to this end will be recruiting extra staff to cover the evening period from 2000 – 0100.
"The concierge service will also continue during the quiet hours up until 0800.
"In this way we are confident that the service will properly bed in, and a much better coexistence will be achieved."
Julian House confirmed that the service opened on August 2 2023, despite the first consultation meeting being held on September 25, after being organised by a local resident.
Despite the rocky start, the charity affirmed their belief that the new site in Shepton Mallet will become "a valuable part of the community".
"There was never any question of Julian House not involving the local community.
"To our embarrassment, we didn’t do it very well!
"The Dusthole Off the Streets Accommodation service is intended to be a valuable part of the community which contributes to a reduction in rough sleeping, offending and anti-social behaviour.
"Given the charity’s long experience of similar projects we are confident this will be achieved."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article