Green light for £3m village project to build 15 ‘nest houses’ for homeless
PERMISSION has been granted for a £3 million village for the homeless to be opened in South Lanarkshire.
Approval has been granted for 15 modern, sustainable homes, known as nest houses, to be built on a brownfield site in Harriet Street, Rutherglen, under the auspices of charity Social Bite.
Founded as a small coffee shop in Edinburgh, the social enterprise supports some of the most vulnerable people in society and has been visited and supported by the likes of George Clooney and Leonardo Dicaprio.
In 2018 the charity opened a homeless village in Edinburgh, providing support for up to 20 people by giving them a place to sleep, helping them to learn new skills and aiding them with work and voluntary placements.
Last year, a recovery centre in Dundee was announced to help those struggling with addiction issues.
The Rutherglen homes will have bedrooms, kitchens, lounge areas and storage. The project village includes a community hub surrounded by landscaping and an outdoor gym facility.
The land is owned by the council and not currently in use.
It is being leased to Social Bite on a five-year lease agreement, with the option to extend for a further five years at a rent of £1 per year.
The charity and social enterprise will be holding a community consultation and applying for planning permission following the decision made yesterday by South Lanarkshire Council.
A decision on the application is expected in the autumn. The first residents are expected to move in summer next year.
Josh Littlejohn, founder of Social Bite, said he hoped people would stay at the village for six months before moving to their own accommodation.
Mr Littlejohn emphasised the urgent need for innovative solutions in addressing homelessness, adding: “It’s brilliant to get the go-ahead from South Lanarkshire Council on our proposal.
“Our Social Bite Villages represent a pioneering approach to tackling homelessness in Scotland. By collaborating with the community, South Lanarkshire Council, and our charity partners, this village will establish a transformative model of accommodation.”
“That not only provides beautiful homes to live in, but also helps to break the cycle of homelessness for the individuals that will move in by giving people all the support they need.
“It’s important to us the community are part of this. As we begin to embed plans for this village, we will look to start public consultation in the coming months. We’re working closely with South Lanarkshire Council to ensure the village is a positive asset to the community.