Thrapston Town Council has thanked the community for the 'compassion' shown to a homeless man occupying a public space as they prepare to find him 'suitable alternative' accommodation.

The man who has been sleeping in a tent on council-owned land in Orchard Way has been offered help by local residents concerned for his welfare.

But now he has been given ‘a reasonable period’ of time to leave the site, believed to be two weeks.

The action comes a week after North Northamptonshire Council was allocated £1,205,485 by central government to end rough sleeping 'by Christmas'.

North Northamptonshire Council allocated £1,205,485 by government to end rough s...

In a statement, Thrapston Town Council said: “The council is very aware of the circumstances of the individual currently sleeping on the site and recognises the compassion and kindness that members of the Thrapston community have shown in offering practical support.

"We also recognise that homelessness is a complex and difficult issue and that people can find themselves in extremely challenging circumstances through no fault of their own.

“The council has been liaising with North Northamptonshire Council, which has confirmed that its rough sleeper outreach team is aware of the situation and continues to engage with the individual. Housing and other support options have been offered and continue to be explored by North Northamptonshire Council.

"However, the land at Orchard Way is town council-owned public open space. It is not designated as residential land or a campsite, and the town council has a responsibility to manage its land fairly and appropriately for the benefit of the whole community.”

At its meeting on Tuesday (August 25), the town council said the current situation will be approached ‘sensitively’ and with ‘due regard to the individual's welfare’. The council will speak to the man and be given an ‘opportunity to understand the council's position’ and the support available to him. He will then be given a reasonable period of time to leave the site, but if he stays the council will seek legal advice and take the necessary lawful steps to remove him. Emphasising public open spaces are not available for rough sleeping, camping or residential occupation, the town council said: “This decision is not about a lack of compassion for an individual who is experiencing homelessness. It is about recognising that the town council has responsibilities as a landowner and must manage its public spaces in a fair and consistent manner.

"The council hopes that a suitable alternative can be found through the housing and support services already working with the individual, and we will continue to liaise with North Northamptonshire Council as the situation progresses.”

And it added: “We would also ask residents to continue to treat the individual with dignity and respect. Homelessness is a serious and complex issue, and whatever the council's position regarding the use of its land, the person involved remains an individual deserving of compassion.”