Hounslow based charity is seeking highways consultancy support for supported housing in Cranford

What do they need help with?

Shelter Community is seeking pro bono highways consultancy support to progress the redevelopment of a vacant church site in Cranford, Hounslow. The proposed scheme would deliver a new community hub, church facility and supported housing for approximately 25 to 30 young people with housing needs.

The project would also sensitively renovate the rectory building to provide accommodation for a guardian family, alongside shared communal facilities. The aim is to create a community-led model of care for vulnerable young people in West London, combining safe accommodation with practical support, coaching and positive relationships.

Highways input is critical at this stage. The site is linear and narrow, meaning the internal access road, turning areas and parking provision need to be carefully designed to make best use of the available land. The layout also needs to meet the requirements of the Local Planning Authority and relevant statutory consultees.

Without clear highways and transport advice, Shelter Community cannot finalise the site layout, respond confidently to likely pre-application comments from Hounslow Council, or demonstrate that the scheme is safe and workable. Early specialist input would help unlock the development and support the project’s progression towards a formal planning submission.

Shelter Community is seeking support from an experienced highways or transport consultant across several key areas. This includes advice on the internal access road and minimum carriageway widths, parking provision for around six residential car parking spaces and two accessible bays, and swept path analysis for fire tender and refuse vehicles.

The charity also needs guidance on a servicing strategy, including refuse collection points, delivery management and day-to-day servicing arrangements for both the residential and community hub elements of the scheme. Support is also needed to shape the highways narrative ahead of a pre-application meeting with the London Borough of Hounslow, helping the charity address likely concerns and present a credible, compliant transport strategy.

Shelter Community can provide drawings, site photographs and further background information to support the assessment.

Timeline

As soon as possible

About the organisation

Shelter Community is a registered charity founded in 2013 to create safe homes for young people in a community setting. Its mission is to support young adults who are homeless or at risk of homelessness by providing accommodation, relationships, encouragement and practical support to help them build positive futures.

The charity currently runs the Youth Community Home in Chiswick, providing supported accommodation for up to nine young people in housing need. Young residents receive safe and affordable accommodation, one-to-one support through professional key workers, volunteer coaching, practical life skills support, shared meals, community activities and move-on support.

Shelter Community works with referral partners including New Horizon Youth Centre and Housing Justice, helping young people access support that is appropriate to their needs. Its approach aims to prevent rough sleeping and homelessness, improve housing stability, build confidence and wellbeing, develop life skills, support engagement with education and employment, and create a stronger sense of belonging.

Shelter Community hopes to open a move-on home for eight young people by the end of 2026 and is working with a church in Cranford towards a planning application for supported accommodation

https://www.sclondon.org/