Cornwall Council is set to begin work on a hub that would aim to support rough-sleepers and provide them with safe accommodation.

According to the council, planning permission has been granted to convert Chough House, on River Street in Truro, into a brand new, purpose-designed Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub that would help those sleeping rough on the path to permanent accommodation.

The building is a Council-owned former office building that has not been occupied for a lengthy period of time, with work to convert the building set to begin in April and expected to be completed by November.

The hub, which will provide people who find themselves without a home or at risk of street homelessness with accommodation, will also provide intensive support to those in need of a helping-hand.

Once the works are completed, Chough House will include nine single-occupancy rooms with each containing an en-suite bathroom and kitchenette as well as one of the rooms being fully wheelchair-accessible.

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The site will also contain staff offices, laundry facilities, meeting rooms and communal lounges with full kitchens, which at times of urgent need could be converted into extra bed spaces.

The building will have a new air-source heating plant providing heating and hot water and has also made provision for the future installation of photovoltaic panels on the roof.

Cornwall Housing and security personnel will staff the hub 24/7 and CCTV systems will be in operation both in and around the site.

In a statement from on the Council's website, Portfolio Holder for Homes, Andrew Mitchell, said: "This is a really important development in our strategy to help those without a home or at risk of being without a home.

"When completed the facility will provide emergency accommodation to anyone who is in need.

"I’m pleased to see that work will be starting soon and I look forward to it opening later this year, and my thanks go to all those that have worked so hard to make this happen.

"We are also very grateful to Truro City Council, and Truro Mayor and Ward Member, Councillor Bert Biscoe for all their support for this landmark project."

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Local member for Truro Boscawen, Bert Biscoe, said: "The approach, which has evolved from the Covid emergency of providing individual accommodation and one-to-one support, has achieved significant changes in our approach to helping people escape homelessness.

"I very much welcome the repurposing of Chough House where, with the same intensity of staff support, I think we can help people out of perilous circumstances effectively.

"It is important that we develop an approach which supports both homeless people and neighbourhood business.

"This is a very positive long-term move."