"How can anyone think this is an act of respect": Chesterfield council responds to landlord's plan for homeless veterans camp
Chesterfield Borough Council has issued a strongly-worded reminder of its work to provide ex-military personnel with a dignified living after a high-profile local landlord announced plans to establish a camp for homeless veterans on land outside his building,
As previously reported, James Holmes announced earlier this week that he intended to establish the camp beneath the giant Union Flag he has hung from a disused building he owns on Saltergate.
Holmes has long-standing planning permission to convert the building into new homes, but those plans have yet to be realised.
Many of the necessary details for the camp were left unclear, but Chesterfield Borough Council has now made plain that there are better options already available to anyone in need.
Councillor Kate Sarvent, Armed Forces Champion for the authority, said: “Chesterfield is a community where veterans and acting service members are treated with the respect and dignity they rightfully deserve – and as a council we proudly uphold this commitment on behalf of our residents.
“Veterans – and serving members who are due to leave the armed services – are given priority for housing in Chesterfield, and we work with specialist armed forces support agencies to help people deal with any other issues they may be facing.
“We’re not currently aware of any ex-armed forces personnel rough sleeping in Chesterfield.”
The borough council is a member of the Derbyshire Armed Forces Covenant, which was set up in 2012 to make sure that those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, are treated fairly – in recognition of the sacrifices they make on behalf of the country.
Through the covenant it has well established links with other local authorities, charities and services providers to develop the provision and promotion of local services tailored to the needs of the wider armed forces community, relationships which the council says have led to many improvements and targeted projects over the past 13 years.
Cllr Sarvent said: “We know that homelessness, and the risk of becoming homeless, is a complex issue. If there are people who need help, we would urge them to get in touch with us directly for specialist and professional support.
“No matter how well-intentioned, we’re at a loss as to how anyone can think offering a makeshift camp behind high wire fencing, pitched outside a disused building at the side of a busy main road – and as we approach the winter months – represents an act of respect, and an offer of dignity, for our country’s ex-service men and women.”
She added: “Our message to any local veteran who is in need of help, or housing, is clear: if you think a camp like the one being proposed is the only option available to you – it isn’t, and we urge you to contact us for specialist support today.
“To speak to a member of the team regarding your situation, call us on 01246 345825 or email [email protected]. If you need emergency housing help out of hours, please call 0808 1968199.”
For more information on the Armed Forces Covenant for Derbyshire and services available, go to https://tinyurl.com/y4n3k4ky.