Green light for homeless hostel

The centre will also provide employment services for the homeless

Plans for a new £5m centre for homeless people in Hull have been approved.

The 46-bed hostel will be built in the city's Great Union Street after previous plans for a site in Francis Street were rejected.

The Places of Change centre will be built by the English Churches Housing Group (ECHG) who have described it as a "one-stop shop" for the homeless.

The site, which is due to open in January 2011 will have training rooms, computers, and healthcare facilities.

Councillors at Hull City Council approved the plans at a meeting on Wednesday.

John Glenton of the ECHG said the result provided a very welcome and common sense step to support and rehabilitate homeless people.

ECHG and homeless charity Hull Harp will jointly manage the centre, which will also house a community cafe and IT suite.

Hull Harp's chief executive, Gavin Baggs, said: "We are delighted that the redevelopment received the go-ahead because it will bring over £4m of government funding into the city of Hull, as well as giving a boost to employment in the construction industry."

Two existing homeless charities in Hull will relocate to the new centre.

Building work is expected begin in January and be completed a year later.