Plans to turn Ipswich church hall to homeless accommodation

Proposals are seeking to renovate Elm's Hall, on Elm Street, into sheltered accommodation on behalf of Selig Suffolk, a local homeless charity.  

Elm's Hall is part of St Mary at the Elm's Church in Black Horse Lane, in the town centre.

Plans would see the hall converted into homeless accommodation (Image: Newsquest)

The charity partners with churches as part of it's Hope Into Action programme, where church halls are used to support those who would otherwise be homeless. 

The hall would be turned into a single home with three bedrooms with an ensuite bathroom, a kitchen and lounge.

The planning document says the objective is to provide accommodation in this way will enable residents the stability to get jobs, save money and then source their own accommodation, independently. 

Father John Thackray, at St Mary Elm, said that the church was "delighted" to support the charity. 

He said: "[Selig Suffolk] are neighbours of ours and we were really concerned, as any naturally church would be, about those without homes or who are less fortunate that ourselves.

Father John Thackray (Image: Sarah Lucy Brown)

"So we were delighted when one of congregation was able to establish a good link with Selig."

Father Thackray explained that the hall does not get much use and so the church were "really supportive that it could be used for something so positive".

Selig Suffolk has five homes in Suffolk, two in Bury St Edmunds whilst the three in Ipswich, including a property on Civic Drive. 

If plans were to go ahead, Elm's Hall would become the sixth home in the county (Image: Newsquest)

Within the planning application, the trust notes that maintaining the heritage of the site is incredibly important as the plans are "within the setting of several listed buildings."

It said the proposal would see the loss in the use of the hall as a function centre, but the ground floor of the adjacent St Mary’s Cottage will be retained as a church hall and function room.

The application added the development would have a positive impact on the people of the town.

The document said: "[the plans] would deliver a significant benefit to Ipswich, providing social, community and economic improvements at both the individual and societal level."