Former Wrexham B&B to become permanent homeless facility

Plans to convert a former B&B on the outskirts of Wrexham town centre into permanent homeless accomodation have been given the go ahead.

The Grove Guest House, on Chester Road, has been used as a temporary homeless facility after being purchased by Wrexham Council in October 2020.

It has 16 bedrooms with en-suite facilities for single residents, along with a communal area with a lounge, dining room and cooking facilities. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

The facility -‌ which is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week – offers support and guidance to individuals. ‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌​‌‌‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌​​‌​‌​​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​‌‌‌​​‍‌‌​​‌‌​‌‍‌‌​​‌‌​​

It originally opened at the start of 2021 – with the local authority previously attempting to make the change of use permanent via the planning process on two separate occasions.

On Monday (January 8) a third bid to use the building as a permanent homeless hostel was given the approval of planning committee members.

Speaking at Monday’s meeting a representative for the facility explained that it aims to “ultimately assist and support the individuals into permanent accommodation.”

She said: “The staff at Grove House and housing options team have worked incredibly hard and have helped a great many Wrexham citizens.

“There are a number of successful outcomes that have resulted in homeless individuals securing both housing and employment.

“The citizens of Wrexham County Borough who find themselves homeless, desperately need accommodation in Wrexham. The demand for affordable housing remains at a critical level and the demand for homeless services remains high.

“We need the facility at Grove House and more like this model to accommodate and help the citizens of Wrexham to get back on their feet.

“It is both our legal and moral duty to assist the homeless citizens of Wrexham.

“The Grove House model has been extremely successful in turning people’s lives around who have fallen on hard times.”

Acton and Maesydre councillor Becca Martin praised the work carried out at the facility to address initial concerns from local residents about antisocial behaviour.

However she added that there is still some concern within the community and requested that limitations on the number of people in the smoking area, a curfew and communication between the former guest house and local residents remain in place.

Cllr Martin said: “I’ve heard from some prior residents about how much difference to their lives being at the guest house has made – both in the short term and now in the longer term.

“Although it is a shame that we still have a need for temporary accommodation, I think this highlights further the need for the creation of additional permanent housing to be a priority for the council.

“Over the past two years there’s been efforts made by the staff at Grove House to tackle individual incidents. A camera has been installed into the immediate surrounding area, and additional house rules have been introduced and this has resulted in a decrease of the antisocial behaviour.

“Although surrounding neighbours do acknowledge this decrease in antisocial behaviour, they would like to point out that it’s still increased on what it was prior to the guest house becoming a temporary accommodation.

“There is still a fear that being given permanent permission will mean staff at Grove House can relax, so to speak, and the level of antisocial behaviour that they experience at the beginning will be resurrected.

“They’d also like to add that this apprehension stems from a lack of trust in the council as a whole after they were assured in 2020 that it would be a temporary fixture.”

The meeting was told that should planning permission be granted the present management model would continue.

Cllr Corin Jarvis, who also represents the Acton and Maesydre ward, added: “I fully support the application as well.

“I’ve been really, really impressed with the management of the Grove House and I think any issues that have come up, have been dealt with quickly and appropriately.

“I really can’t fault the work that they do, I think it’s an absolutely invaluable service.

“I think it should be replicated if possible, because it is just working so well – especially for the residents.

“Most of us are three large bills away from being homeless, so it can happen to anyone. I just think it’s a brilliant service that we can’t really afford to lose.”