A Norfolk homelessness charity is bidding for more storage to aid their social enterprise at a former convent.
Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney is based at the 19th century All Hallows Covent in Ditchingham, near Bungay, which featured on BBC One's Interior Design Masters earlier this year.
The charity has submitted an application to South Norfolk Council to change the use of St Michael's House on the covent's site from "religious retreat" to "storage and distribution".
The charity proposes to use the ground floor for the storage of recycled furniture, which is reusable second hand furniture recovered as a part of the Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney house clearance social enterprise.
The home clearance enterprise clears properties and removes unwanted items through a booking system.
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Items that are suitable are sold in its shops in the convent site in Ditchingham and in Castle Quarter, Norwich.
If the items cannot be sold, they have "extensive recycling processes" on site.
The proposal also includes "ancillary office/meeting room accommodation for administration and training purposes".
Neil Watts, the applicant on behalf of Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney, said in the application form that there is "an increasing need for storage accommodation" as the charity continues to grow.
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The site is owned by the Anglican Religious Order the Community of All Hallows (CAH) and Emmaus lease the buildings which include Abbe Pierre House, Holy Cross House and St Mary's House.
Mr Watts adds that Emmaus is working with the CAH to agree a lease for St Michael's House.
A spokeswoman for Emmaus said: "Whilst the Community of All Hallows and Emmaus develop a longer term plan for the building, it will temporarily be used for storage to support our social enterprise whilst the refurbishments and preservation of the old convent into a unique B&B continues."
The site is home to 32 "companions" who have experienced homelessness and they are provided with therapeutic support, rehabilitation and training opportunities.
The charity has also applied to change the use of three of the other buildings on the site from a religious retreat into "houses of multiple occupation" which is pending consideration.
READ MORE: Emmaus plans to convert former Norfolk convent into a B&B
THE B&B PLANS
Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney received the green light to convert the upstairs of the Abbe Pierre House into a bed and breakfast.
It will have 23 rooms available which were the former nuns’ bedrooms.
Along with providing more experience for residents, the bed and breakfast facilities will increase the charity's revenue allowing it to support even more vulnerable homeless people.
You can donate towards the project on their website: Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney
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