Kettering homeless hostel left boarded-up since 2019 to be converted into affordable flats

Wellington House at St Jude’s Court in Northampton Road, that is on the site of the former Drill Hall, has been boarded up since March 2019 when owners Home Group closed the site.

Now the housing provider will convert the space, that once offered communal facilities, to create 19 self-contained flats.

A spokesman for Home Group said: “Housing provider Home Group has received permission to create 19 self-contained flats in the disused parts of St Judes Court in the town.

“Work on the building, which is part of a wider community, is expected to start soon.

“Due to its town centre location this is an excellent location for self-contained units adjacent to the existing 23 flats within the wider community.

“St Jude’s is close to shops and the train station and will suit a range of people – from single people to families.”

Planning permission was granted in 2001 for the block of flats and office for Home Housing Association, a three-storey YMCA, `drop-in` facility and `move-on` accommodation known as The Gateway Project.

Opened in 2002 by the YMCA, the building was taken over in 2015 by the Home Group, and was used by the Kettering Borough Council to temporarily house people on its waiting list.

The centre provided supported living for homeless people with a communal day room and shared kitchen.

After it closed in 2019, the council contacted the Home Group ‘to sell the building to the council so that it can be put back into use’.

Work on the flats is expected to start this year.

Home Group is one of the UK’s largest providers of housing, health and care and provides homes for more than 120,000 people across England and Scotland.