Corby night shelter moves step closer

Planning permission has been granted for a night shelter for the homeless to be built in homes which are currently boarded up in Dorking Walk in Corby.

The shelter is a key part of the council's plan to eradicate rough sleeping in the town after a large increase of people sleeping on the town's streets in recent years.

But as yet the authority has not found a suitable organisation to run the shelter.

Homeless charity Corby Nightlight, which ran a shelter in the disused Corby police station last winter, has ruled itself out.

The council has budgeted £130,000 for the amendments which will involve a five dormitories at 82 Dorking Walk which can sleep 16 people plus a two-bedroom Home of Multiple Occupancy at 98 Dorking Walk and a three-bedroom HMO at 100 Dorking Walk.

Corby night shelter moves step closer Credit: ITV Anglia

Each unit will have a separate access and a staff office will be created at 100 Dorking Walk.

Number 82 would be the first stop for rough sleepers with the HMO accommodation offering a 'second step'. Currently the properties are boarded up.

The Dorking Walk properties were converted in 2000 from residential properties and used by a mental health charity safe haven as a refuge.