Middlesbrough Council is aiming to relocate its “housing solutions” staff to Broadcasting House on Newport Road. The building, best known for being the home of BBC Tees, currently has various businesses on its ground floor, and the council is seeking planning permission for two units to operate as a “homeless hub”.
Units three and six could be transformed into accommodation for the council’s homelessness team, and a contact centre for services users, respectively. The council says in its application form that unit three is currently being used as a community church, while unit six is the office for a charity.
30 full time employees are set to make the move over to Broadcasting House, if plans are approved by Middlesbrough Development Corporation – part of TVCA – who operate as the local planning authority in the town centre. Hours of opening are set to be 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
On a visit, both of the units that await planning permission were boarded off. The council’s design and access statement explained that the four storey building, constructed in 1974, currently has a range of uses. BBC Radio Tees are located predominantly on the first floor, with a reception area on the ground floor.
The statement added: “The remainder of the ground floor is a mix of retail and office accommodation with the second and third floors being office accommodation for multiple small businesses.” As part of the need to “refurbish” this council homelessness service, there are ambitions to improve accessibility and prevent anti-social behaviour. Level access is to be provided to both units as well as replacement of both shop fronts. New roller shutters are also to be installed.
When the council was asked if this was a relocation or an expansion of their homeless service, a council spokesman explained that their “housing solutions” staff are currently based at Middlesbrough House (also known as the Customer Centre), located on Corporation Road, and will be relocated to the new base if approved, as well as some associated staff from Fountain Court.
