TRINITY Winchester has welcomed planning permission for its UnderOneRoof project to build an extension of 11 self-contained housing units.

The £1.47million project will provide safe housing alongside Trinity’s support services that will help people to move on to independent living.

Winchester architects Hyphen, have drawn up plans for the new development which will include communal facilities and a therapy room.

The project is based on Housing First principles, a proven model of success evolving from Finland, the USA and Scotland. Its core principle is that everybody has a right to a home and that stable and secure housing is essential to turning lives around.

Sue McKenna, Trinity chief executive, said: “It has long been Trinity’s ambition to provide homes for our clients, with a holistic approach, which will offer long-term benefits with life-changing outcomes. The UnderOneRoof project, when opened, will have an immediate impact of reducing the number of rough sleepers in the Winchester district. It will also improve their health and long-term prospects”.

Following a gift of £500,000 from the Deflog-VQ Trust and other donations, Trinity still needs to raise £910,000 to complete the project by the end of 2020.

The scheme received just two objections from local people.

Julian Cavalier, of Wales Street, in a letter, said: “We are concerned that similar projects have increased incidents of crime and unsocial behaviour including drunkenness, illegal drug taking and dealing and damage to neighbours’ property.

“When Trinity first opened here, we experienced an increase in crime, rough sleepers within Trinity grounds, alcohol intoxification in our local park and abusive behaviour.”

Trinity responded to the city council and said in the 18 months to spring last year the police had only been called five times.