October 19, 2018 11.41 am This story is over 66 months old

Plans approved for new homeless shelter and support centre

It could open as early as April 2019
The City of Lincoln Council has approved plans from YMCA Lincolnshire for its Lincoln Nomad Centre, which could open by April 2019.

YMCA Lincolnshire have been given outline planning permission by the city council to transform its former gym and leisure space into a day centre for the homeless.

As previously reported, YMCA Lincolnshire is trying to raise £1.2 million for the renovation project which would extend its site on St Rumbold’s Street, with a hope that The Lincoln Nomad Centre could open as early as April 2019.

The city council granted planning permission for the development on October 18 for an application which includes a conversion of the existing building into a day centre and community cafe on the ground floor, with temporary sleeping accommodation on both the ground and first floor levels.

The former YMCA Gym on St Rumbold’s Street in Lincoln could be a new day centre by April 2019. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The existing entrance extension will be removed and a new single-storey entrance lobby extension built, along with internal conversion works being carried out.

The new centre will include a collaboration of support services and health professionals all under one roof.

Proposed Ground Floor GA Plan. Photo: Stem Architects

Proposed Ground Floor Plan. Photo: Steven Dunn Architects Ltd

Combined with the current emergency overnight provision, the new Lincoln Nomad Centre would provide 24/7 support where those who find themselves homeless can access caring, professional help.

Last year the emergency night shelter provided for 266 people who had found themselves homeless and the new centre would help tackle this issue.

Dean Bell, Housing Services Manager at YMCA Lincolnshire, previously told The Lincolnite: “It is a hope by the beginning of the new financial year so April 2019 we will have a new day centre up and running, fully functioning, integrated in with statutory and other voluntary agencies so that we can have a more focused collaborative approach to what people are seeing, hearing and experiencing.”

The new plans replaced a previously approved scheme which would have seen the current shelter demolished and a new £3million night shelter built across the road.

YMCA Lincolnshire helping tackle Lincoln drug issue