Supported housing accommodation on Baldock's High Street could be set to expand after a planning application was submitted to North Herts Council.

The accommodation, in the premises formerly occupied by Templars restaurant and hotel, currently has planning permission for 29 rooms to be used. Five further rooms will be added if the latest application is approved.

In December last year, North Herts Council's Planning Control Committee granted permission for the current 29 rooms to be used as supported housing for the next three years.

According to the latest application, 19 rooms on the first and second floors are currently in use as supported housing, while the 10 rooms on the ground floor that have already been granted permission are not yet occupied.

The site is run by Haven First, and used to house local people who are homeless.

One condition of the previously granted planning applications is that residents must be vacated by December 31, 2025 - the plan is for them to move into a permanent facility within that time.

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The previous planning applications were met with criticism from some local residents. 77 residents objected to the proposals during a consultation, while only one resident supported them.

Cllr Weeks, who called those applications into the Planning Control Committee, said at the time that he thought "the vast majority of the Baldock community are extremely angry" at the decision to use the site for supported housing.

In response, Cllr Tom Tyson, vice-chair of the commitee, said that he understood and appreciated "the concerns of local people", and assured "residents that the council will work with all relevant agencies to make sure the scheme is a success and ensure residents get all the appropriate support they require".

Residents can comment on the application by visiting North Herts Council's website.