A controversial plan to turn an unoccupied property in Inverness into accommodation for young homeless people has been unanimously approved by councillors.
The Highland Homeless Trust will manage a new house of multiple occupation (HMO) at 35 Glenurquhart Road after it was given a licence yesterday.
The centre will be capable of accommodating up to six people at a time and will be the fifth HMO to be operated by the charity in Inverness.
The group has pledged to install CCTV cameras and employ a warden to provide 24-hour supervision in an effort to allay the fears of neighbours who raised concerns about anti-social behaviour during a licensing hearing at Highland Council’s headquarters.
Bill Fraser, who lives next door, told councillors there was “widespread resistance in the community” to the proposals.
He and another neighbour Evelyn Girvan said they were concerned about noise and possible criminal damage, as well as how the house would be managed.
Councillor Graham Ross also objected to the bid because he was concerned the building was not big enough for its proposed purpose.
Last night, Highland Homeless Trust business manager Alex Gilchrist said she hoped to work with neighbours to make the scheme a success.
She said: “We’re very pleased to have received our license to operate at Glenurquhart Road and we believe that we will be able to make a difference to people’s lives with this facility.
“We have listened to what the neighbours have to say and taken on board their concerns.
“We work hard to help teach our young people how to live on their own terms and avoiding anti-social behaviour is a key part of that.”
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Fraser said: “There is a real sense of frustration that this is going ahead.
“I feel that there is a better way of helping homeless people than this and we should be looking for alternatives rather than simply going along with what has always been done in the past.”