Plans to demolish a set of garages to replace them with flats to help house homeless people have been approved.
Two garage blocks will be demolished to make way for four one-bedroom properties at Netherwood Green, near County Hall.
The flats are intended to be used by people in a “vulnerable situation” and will be built by St Martins Housing Trust, which works to prevent homelessness in the city.
The scheme was deferred at the last meeting in November because councillors had concerns about light levels.
The plans have been revised slightly, with roof lights added to some properties to increase light levels.
The development, and a second set of eight flats approved at the previous meeting, have been controversial, with locals concerned it will increase antisocial behaviour in the area.
One neighbour raised fears the homes could be used by people with drug and alcohol issues and putting people in a “nice new flat” would not fix the issue.
Addressing Thursday’s Norwich City Council planning committee, the owner of the neighbouring Martineau Cottage also argued the plans were out of keeping with the area.
He said: “I think it doesn’t fit in with the area. I’m not against housing there, I think there should be, but I think the design should be looked at in terms of making it blend in better.”
A council officer said the application had to be treated the same as any other application for housing and it “cannot judge the application on the basis of who may be occupying it”.
He also argued the buildings would be nicer to look at than the existing garages.
Jan Sheldon, speaking on behalf of St Martins, hoped the revised plan addressed the concerns.
She added that previous schemes set up by the charity have become part of the city’s “critical infrastructure” for supporting people in need and insisted all issues of concern are addressed quickly.
She said: “It’s not until our projects are operational that local people can see how hard we work to be the best neighbour we can be and what a difference our projects make to lives in the city.”
The scheme was unanimously approved.
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