Appeal allowed over turning former bank in Withernsea into 'supported living' scheme

It is the second time developers have been to appeal and they have now finally won planning permission to convert the vacant NatWest bank on Queen Street, Withernsea.

The saga began in 2018 when East Riding councillors rejected the plans, following hundreds of objections from people saying it was a totally unsuitable location for up to six 16 to 21-year-olds.

Humberside Police said placing vulnerable young people into an already high-risk area, with a history of anti-social behaviour and alcohol and drug-related disorder, was “inadvisable”.

They said the Queen Street area had the highest crime statistics for the whole of the East Riding.

Withernsea Town Council were concerned about the lack of local jobs and apprenticeships and the cost of travelling to places like Hull for work and education.

They also pointed out that there were already three similar units in the seaside town.

An appeal was dismissed last year. But now inspector Tim Wheeler has allowed a second appeal for proposals which keep part of the ground floor for retail.

He said the home would be run by “qualified and experienced staff and would be equipped with modern security arrangements with the aim of ensuring that the people feel, and are, safe during their stay”.

He pointed out that the council’s own housing strategy said such accommodation was in limited supply, and concerns that the property was in a high crime area were not a reason to find it would not provide “safe, inclusive and accessible” accommodation.

Mr Wheeler allowed a full award of costs against East Riding Council, saying there had been “little if any” prospect of the council’s reasons for refusal winning support again, given the previous appeal decision.

Town councillor Brian Cloke said people still thought it was in a wrong place, being close to takeaways and pubs, in the "hot spot" area of town.

He said: “We think all the things we said against the building still stand.”