All nine councillors at the Great Yarmouth Borough Council Development Control Committee meeting on December 13 voted to approve the plans. Bernard Williamson, councillor for Claydon ward, said: “I think this will be a terrific use of the building. The look is derelict and I know there are concerns about overlooking, but I’m sure these can be addressed.”

 

George Jermany, councillor for East Flegg ward, added: “We do hear a lot about noise and hooligans but this is people who have proven ability to live independently. We need to support these 18 to 24-year-olds.”

 

The former Two Bears Hotel in central Yarmouth, closed in 2005 and had been derelict ever since.

The building was recently bought by local developer Oakville Homes with the intention of turning it into a project to benefit the community. A partnership with YMCA Norfolk has come out of a shared desire to impact the local community positively.

 

The approved plans include renovating the building to provide 20 self-contained move-on units on the first floor and, on the ground floor, a Community Hub facility which will provide space for voluntary and statutory sector groups to work together to meet community needs.

Possible services will include a community café, internet facilities and training and conference accommodation and allow the development of youth and Community work including a drop-in and advice and guidance services. The accommodation will be used for young people who are already housed in supported accommodation elsewhere and have been able to evidence their readiness for the next step into more independent living.

 

Also included will be a range of health and well-being activities including dance and fitness activities, counselling services and partnership working with other agencies.

 

YMCA Norfolk Area Director for Great Yarmouth, Mary Ives said: “This is a very exciting opportunity which will enable us to provide a new type of accommodation in the area for young people who are showing real progress in moving their lives forward. We will now be able to support young people right through their journey from crisis point to independence, helping to break the cycle of homelessness.

 

“We will be able to work with more young people across a wider range of activities meeting real need. We will look to improve partnerships working with other agencies and the Christian community to help meet the needs of young people and the community better. “

 

YMCA Norfolk Chief Executive, Tim Sweeting said: “We are really excited that the plans we have developed with our partners have been approved and look forward to turning this landmark building into something we can all be proud of.”

Great Yarmouth has been identified as being worse than the national average in areas of; mental health, broken relationships and emotional problems, drug and alcohol related problems, rates of teenage pregnancy and children living in poverty.  The area also has a high rate of unemployment.

YMCA Norfolk has had a presence in Great Yarmouth for well over a 100 years and currently provides 70 young people with a home through a variety of accommodation units as well as youth and community projects offering counselling, life skill development and opportunities to gain employment, education or training.