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Night shelter approved on appeal

The Department of Health and Social Security has been given the green light for a night shelter for the Island’s homeless.

Kingswood House in Harris Terrace will provide eight beds as well as one staff bed for the next six months, as the DHSS monitors the situation.

Nearby residents had appealed against the decision of the planning committee to grant permission for the shelter.

But planning inspector David Ward said the need for such a facility was undisputed.

Mr Ward said he understood the fears of those living nearby, adding the DHSS hadn’t engaged with neighbours about those worries.

But he said those fears might have been overstated, and a liaison committee should be set up to ensure residents could talk to the DHSS about any problems.

He recommended the appeal be dismissed and the shelter be given permission to operate for six months.

Deputy DoLGE minister Eddie Lowey agreed and gave permission for the home to go ahead.

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