A proactive approach to helping rough sleepers in Great Yarmouth could see new emergency accommodation in the town.

A change of use proposal for the first floor of a former telephone exchange building will be discussed at Great Yarmouth Borough Council's development control committee meeting on Wednesday.

The proposal requests a temporary change of use for six years for the building's first floor to be used as emergency accommodation for up to 16 adults as well as office space for support staff connected to the hostel.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The former telephone exchange building on Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth.The former telephone exchange building on Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth. (Image: James Weeds)

Described as a 'Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub,' the hostel will provide a minimum of nine bedrooms on a temporary short-stay basis to those who are rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping.

It is expected that individuals will stay at the hostel for up to two weeks to get warm, fed and assessed to try and establish a supported pathway into more secure housing.

The application put forward by the borough council highlights the building had previously been granted a temporary change of use as a hostel facility, firstly operated by the Herring Trust in 2010 and then by the YMCA which had used the first floor as a hostel until August 2021.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The entrance way to the former telephone exchange building on Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth. The YMCA logo is still visible above the door.The entrance way to the former telephone exchange building on Hall Quay, Great Yarmouth. The YMCA logo is still visible above the door. (Image: James Weeds)

With the other two organisations, the first floor had been converted to provide hostel accommodation consisting of 21 bedrooms, shared showers, kitchen facilities, as well as storage and laundry areas.

If the proposals are accepted, nine rooms will be readily available for rough sleepers with a further seven available as emergency provision for times when the service suffers increased pressure. 

The other five rooms will be converted into offices for the council's Rough Sleeping Team.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The bid for the temporary change of use is being forward by Great Yarmouth Borough Council.The bid for the temporary change of use is being forward by Great Yarmouth Borough Council. (Image: James Weeds)

The aspiration of the 'Somewhere Safe to Stay Hub' is to significantly decrease and over the longer term end rough sleeping in the borough entirely.

The four-story telephone exchange building dates from 1936 and is neighboured by the Grade II-listed Star Hotel to the north and the former General Post Office building - which is now offices and flats - to the south.

The second and third floors of the telephone exchange building are currently vacant and unconverted.