Ilford’s Salvation Army are jubilant after their project offering temporary housing for the homeless was granted planning permission.

Project Malachi has been in the pipeline for the last few years and has now progressed to the next stage after Redbridge Council’s planning committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.

Captain John Clifton, of Ilford Salvation Army, said: "I am absolutely delighted that we have received planning permission. This is yet another example of how the whole of the community is rallying to help those who are sleeping rough.

"This is a huge milestone for the project that means we will be able to begin the tendering process. We cannot wait to have the accommodation and the workshop for recycles, our bike refurbishment social enterprise, in place. Our ambitious vision is another step closer to reality.”

The project will create 40 units of temporary accommodation for Redbridge’s homeless.

Labour councillor Cllr Lloyd Duddridge said: “This application ticks all of the planning boxes. I feel it ticks all of the moral boxes as well.”

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The site on Chadwick Road will house 40 shipping container apartments.

A total of 423 people across the borough signed a petition supporting the project.

Keith Prince, GLA member for Redbridge and Havering, also spoke in favour of the application.

He said: “This will be a clear statement about our commitment to the homeless. It will be a beacon, not only to other boroughs, but across the country.”

Cllr Nick Hayes spoke on behalf of the Conservative party and said the whole party was in favour of the plan.

Project Malachi’s housing units, made from old shipping containers, will go up on the east side of Chadwick Road; a stone’s throw from Redbridge Town Hall.

Each individual apartment will contain an open plan living and dining area, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.

Ilford’s Salvation Army Corps hope the site, which will be staffed by qualified volunteers 24/7, will be up and running from as early as October this year.

The site will also house a bike hub where Redbridge’s homeless and unemployed will be trained to fix bikes as part of the Salvation Army’s Recycle scheme.

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Captain John Clifton (left) and Keith Prince (right) championed the scheme.

One objection was raised to the project.

It was made by Meenakshi Sharma of campaign group Ilford Noise. She cited location issues and problems with the appearance of the apartments.

She said: “I think an application to have a centre for the homeless in the town centre is inappropriate.”

Ms Sharma also voiced concerns about the lack of a fire safety risk assessment.

She used Grenfell Tower as an example of the cost of poor fire safety standards.

The Salvation Army’s planning expert sought to allay concerns about fire safety, stating all planning regulations were met.

Council leader Cllr Jas Athwal also said: “To mention Grenfell in the same breath as this application I think is wrong and should not be considered.”

Committee chairman Cllr Paul Merry said: “Whilst it is regrettable that it is a temporary scheme, I can’t see any grounds to turn this application down.”