Belvoir project FAQs

In 2021 we successfully launched our first youth homelessness project in Evesham.

Run by national youth homelessness charity St Basils, the scheme not only provides a safe place to live but works with young people to give them the education, employment and life skills they need to move on and live independently. The aim is to stop young people developing more complex needs - that are harder and more expensive to deal with - that could also result in them rough sleeping.

Since August 2021, when the scheme launched, 48 young people have been supported through Merstow House. A positive transition being achieved by 34 young people out of the 38 moving on from the service, with a further 10 currently still in residence. Accredited Life Skills courses have been completed by 29 young people before leaving Merstow, 7 of whom accomplished additional positive outcomes in employment or further education.

The scheme has been so successful, we are committed to extended it into other parts of the district so more young people may have the opportunity to change their lives.

Since 2018, we have seen a 189% increase in the number of 18 to 25-year-olds asking us for housing support. There are many reasons young people end up at risk of homelessness including family breakdown, mental health challenges, poverty, domestic abuse and a lack of support for those leaving the care system.

The problem is suitable accommodation is in short supply in Wychavon, putting these vulnerable young people at risk of ending up on the streets. If we didn’t do something to tackle this, it would possibly lead to more issues with anti-social behaviour as well as be a waste of the talent and potential of those young people, who for various reasons need a bit of extra support to be able to have a positive start to their adult life.

We want to create a scheme in the north of the district as most of our support accommodation is currently in the Evesham area. Elected members strongly supported this approach to ensure we can meet the needs of young people in the north of the district closer to their own community. Droitwich Spa makes the most sense as it is the major town serving the north of the district with the most services and employment opportunities. The property we have chosen in Ombersley Road is a perfect fit for our need, in a sustainable location that offers easy access to services, transport links and jobs.

We have checked our House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) register to ensure there is not an oversupply of HMOs in the area, as defined by local planning policy.

The project is one of the promises in our We Are Wychavon Plan, which was approved by councillors in 2024. This sets out the key actions we will deliver to make a difference to residents of the district. The plan is based on feedback from our residents’ survey which more than 1,700 people responded to. This gave us the basis to identify a scheme in the north of the district. After Ombersley Road was chosen, a specific funding proposal was put to councillors which they approved.

The project will run along similar lines to the one in Evesham. There will be a high threshold for people referred to live in the project. Our housing team will carefully consider placements, based on a risk assessment of the individual and an understanding of who else is currently in the property. Those with high level support needs or high-risk behaviours are unlikely to be suitable for this type of accommodation.

There are strict rules, which those living in the property will have to follow. Drug use or excessive inappropriate or anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated and may lead to removal from the property. There will be a property manager who will oversee the project and can act as a point of contact to deal with any issues.

If residents have issues in your neighbourhood regarding ASB/drug dealing/theft and damage, etc. we strongly urge you to report this to the police. Although the police may not take immediate action, as it may not be necessary, every call logged is valuable. It allows police to build up a pattern of behaviour and activity in an area and target their resources accordingly. It is recommended that you retain any crime reference number given to you for your records.

There was no requirement to formally consult with residents before buying the property. The decision was debated in open council and residents had the opportunity to present their views, ask questions and lobby their local councillor which some did. We also attended a residents’ meeting, held a walkabout with residents and held other informal conversations with local people while the sale of the property was being completed.

We are committed to being open and transparent about the project and providing reassurance to people where we can.

Senior officers from the council, the police, relevant partners, as well as staff from St Basils who run the project in Evesham, have attended various resident meetings to explain more about the project and answered any other questions residents had. We also held an engagement event during the formal planning application consultation period.

We don’t have the expertise in-house to be able to build our own property. Also, after we have bought the land and factored in all the building costs it will most likely be more expensive. It will also take a lot longer. Some people have asked about including the scheme in any development at Netherwich Basin. As there is not currently a scheme worked up for that location, and it may be some time before there is and it secures planning permission, we can’t afford to wait. The need for suitable accommodation to support the demand from young people at risk of homelessness is growing all the time and we need to do something now.

The project will not affect local parking availability. Four car parking spaces will be created and reserved for staff and supporting officers only. Our experience shows that the likelihood of young people possessing or accessing a vehicle is minimal. We offer secure bike storage to encourage cycling, along with walking and public transport use. In the unlikely event a young person placed in the scheme does own a car, they will be told to use nearby car parks, as a condition of their tenancy. We are aware that the property backs on to a narrow road at the rear and that emergency access is needed 24/7. During the renovation of the property, we will work with contractors to manage the site safety and when the property is occupied, there will be four spaces available for staff.

It is very unlikely all four spaces will be in use at one time, however if this did occur, staff/support staff would be advised to park in a car park locally.  

A comprehensive risk assessment framework will ensure the scheme is appropriate for the young person. It should be noted that this scheme is not appropriate for young people with high support needs or with high-risk behaviours. Robust house rules will be in place, which will be enshrined in legally enforceable tenancy agreements. Breaches may result in their removal from the scheme. The provider of the scheme will also have terms in their Service Level Agreement requiring them to ensure they provide a supportive, yet firmly managed environment for all residents.

There will be clear rules and regulations. Young people must agree to these, to live at the property. Regular staff monitoring ensures immediate intervention if noise levels rise or disruptive behaviour begins. Staff are trained to defuse any situation before it escalates and have a formal escalation procedure including verbal warnings, written warnings, notice to leave and if necessary, placement reviews.

We will provide the details of on-site staff once we have appointed a provider.

You can contact Wychavon District Council by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

You can contact us on (01386) 565000 during 9am to 5pm and (01527) 912966 out of hours. Please note that the out of hours service is for urgent contact only and is not a replacement for contacting emergency services, if that is more appropriate.

Yes, the property does hold a valid HMO license. Planning permission was approved in August 2026 with conditions attached including the property can only be used for the intended demographic of 18–25-year-olds.

The service provider will oversee the management of waste via the usual rules and regulations. Bin storage will be contained and screened in a lockable bin shed, preventing fly tipping and minimising odours and fire risks whilst still remaining accessible.

No. It will still look and feel like a household residence and there will be no signage or modifications marking the property out as a supported housing scheme. External modifications are restricted to the like-for-like replacement of the existing roof and windows. The proposal includes the decommissioning and safe removal of the asbestos-clad garage and shed structures, mitigating health risks to residents while optimizing the site footprint. This clearance facilitates the introduction of enhanced parking provisions, an Electric Vehicle (EV) charging point, and a secure cycle store for up to 10 bicycles.

Measures set out in the service level agreement/lease agreement will ensure that there is only up to nine young people between the ages of 18-25 years old living in the property at any one time. We are also in control of referrals into the scheme so can ensure the property will not be overcrowded.

Programmes will be in place to keep the areas tidy and well maintained. The service provider will encourage opportunities for gardening as a constructive leisure activity for the young people as part of their tenancy ready training.

There will be no smoking on site. Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited in all indoor common areas, hallways, and within 10 feet of building entrances.

Yes, there will be a bike shed to hold up to 10 bicycles at any one time.

There will be a designated point of contact in both Wychavon District Council and with the support provider. We will provide telephone numbers and email address for the onsite manager and an out of hours contact number. We do encourage neighbours to speak directly with staff to resolve minor issues before they escalate.

It should be noted that statutory nuisance is investigated and enforced by Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) on behalf of the Council. However, WRS would always encourage informal resolutions in the first instance.

Drawing from our existing young persons' provision, track record indicates an average residency period of 6 to 24 months but depends on the individuals’ needs. This duration enables individuals to develop essential independent living skills, ensuring they are fully ready to live on their own and manage the day-to-day demands of renting their own property.

To enhance site safety and deter anti-social behaviour, a comprehensive security strategy will be implemented. This includes the installation of CCTV surveillance and lighting at both the front and rear entrances, alongside well-lit communal spaces internally. This proactive approach ensures a secure environment for residents while safeguarding the local neighbourhood.

The property will benefit from structured, round-the-clock oversight to ensure a well-regulated living environment. The service provider will deliver dedicated on-site management during core daytime hours (9am to 5pm), supplemented by a professional security presence during out-of-hours periods for an initial term of six months, subject to ongoing review. It should be noted that young people who have high level needs that would require 24-hour support or supervision would be unsuitable for this accommodation.

We do not see demand for homelessness support from young people changing anytime soon and so a sale in the short to medium-term is very unlikely. Whilst we cannot predict what will happen in the long-term, any potential new owner would have to either use the property under the conditions which will be in place i.e. use for 18–25-year-olds only or apply for planning permission again for change of use or to change the planning conditions.

We have reviewed our HMO register for the area and less than 10% of the total housing stock within a 100-metre radius of the property is a licensed HMO. This is within local planning policy.

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