Statement on The Lord Lister Hotel, Hitchin

In response to recent comments in the local press and on social media, please find below a statement from North Herts Council, in conjunction with Keystage Housing and Herts Police.

Background information:

The council allocated £200k of government funding to Keystage in August 2021 to provide services to prevent homelessness (the need for which has grown significantly throughout the pandemic) under delegated authority in accordance with ‘Special Urgency’ provisions as set out in the council’s constitution. The Managing Director made the decision instead of the Service Director with responsibility for housing, as that Service Director also has responsibility for planning, and the council needed to maintain the independence of its housing decision from any planning decision. See the Record of Decision made under Delegated Authority.

Keystage is a market leader in providing holistic, person-centred support to prevent homelessness with similar schemes in Luton and Northampton. Keystage secured a long lease at the Lord Lister following a private sale last year that did not involve the council.

Planning regulations allow landlords to apply for planning permission retrospectively and planning law requires Local Planning Authorities ie. North Herts Council, to accept and consider them. If someone submits a retrospective planning application, it will be considered on its own planning merits in the same way as other applications and is not more likely to be approved or refused because it is retrospective.

You can send your views on a planning application:

• online via our website – https://pa2.north-herts.gov.uk/online-applications
• by email – planning.control@north-herts.gov.uk
• by post – PO Box 10613, NG6 6DW.

Councillor Sean Prendergast, Deputy Executive Member for Housing at North Herts Council, said: We are aware of residents’ concerns regarding the use of the former Lord Lister Hotel being used by Keystage Housing. We are working closely with Keystage and the police to deal with any issues and we would like to reassure people that councillors are also actively involved in supporting residents  with their concerns.

“As the local housing authority, we have a legal duty to prevent homelessness whenever possible and as per our Council Plan, have committed to support initiatives which provide for the needs of the most vulnerable in the district. This includes Keystage clients who have a range of complex needs. These housing needs have grown significantly throughout the pandemic. This scheme provides a great opportunity for these residents to get the support they need to rebuild their lives and live independently." 

Leader of North Herts Council, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, said: “As a local authority we have a number of specific responsibilities, two of which are the local housing authority and local planning authority. Where responsibilities overlap, we have processes in place to ensure that decisions for each element are considered separately and on their own merits, following the usual procedures.

“The council had nothing to do with the sale of the Lord Lister Hotel and following the usual procedure and consultation, Keystage Housing’s planning application will be determined by the Planning Control Committee in due course. Residents wishing to comment on the application can do so via the official channels up until the meeting.

“The council will not tolerate any kind of abuse towards councillors or staff. Some of the comments and accusations which have been made online are totally unacceptable and factually incorrect. We will report abuse and direct threats and take action as required.”

James O'Grady, Founder and CEO of Keystage Housing, said: "The recent partnership meeting was a welcome platform to raise and discuss concerns for the community as well as sharing partnership approaches from Keystage Housing to ending the revolving door of homelessness for individuals who are vulnerably housed and have complex needs, working together to reduce barriers to finding and maintaining a home."

James Lant, Neighbourhood Inspector for North Herts, said: “Whilst local police are aware of the concerns that have been raised by some local residents, following a review of all the complaints received relating to the Lord Lister since it opened, it is the case that a number of them are not directly linked to the facility.    

“However, I want to reassure residents that we will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with our partners including Keystage and North Herts Council to address any issues that arise.

“The work of organisations like Keystage is vital in today’s society, so I hope that by working together we can find a way to support their efforts in our community, without there being a perceived detrimental impact on the lives of local residents.”