A hostel in Hitchin which provides refuge for homeless people is set to be demolished and rebuilt.

North Herts Council has signed off on a new facility on Nightingale Road with 23 ensuite bedrooms.

The existing hostel - run by Helping Herts Homeless - used to accommodate 17 people in dormitories before the pandemic, but social distancing guidelines saw this reduced to just five.

Plans submitted to the council said the facility is "in a relatively poor condition and is no longer fit for purpose" and needs to be replaced.

"There is an identified need to provide safe and supportive accommodation for homeless individuals within Hitchin and North Hertfordshire," the application said. 

"The proposed new hostel will provide high-quality supported accommodation to enable individuals to get back on their feet and move on in society."

An artist's impression of the new hostel (image via planning application)

The new hostel will include a lounge, training kitchen, three counselling rooms, a laundry room and a staff room.

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Support will be offered to residents including counselling, as well as domestic abuse and sexual violence support to promote health.

It is expected to act as a pathway for people aged 18 to 25 at risk of or experiencing homelessness. 

Signing off on the application, a council report said: "It is clear that there will be social benefits through the delivery of acutely needed homeless accommodation and economic benefits through the construction and operational phase of the development. 

"In environmental terms there will be some adverse effects during the construction process although this would be short term and potentially mitigated by a Construction management plan. 

"There would be some environmental improvement through the removal of a building that is of poor quality and has some negative impact on the conservation area. 

"It is my view that the proposal has potential to enhance the setting of the CA by acting as a landmark building with better quality materials."

See the full application here.