A shelter could be created to provide specialist accommodation for homeless people during the winter months.

Enfield Council wants to use a former industrial building in the Claverings Estate in Edmonton as a homeless shelter for a period of six months.

The shelter would feature a dormitory with space for 20 people, shower rooms, kitchen areas, and male, female and disabled restrooms.

Open between 5pm and 9am, it would also provide breakfast and evening meals, and would be run by a charity called All People All Places.

The shelter would focus on central and eastern European nationals, who are typically exploited in unregulated work or unemployed, according to the planning report.

As a result, many of these people end up in unsuitable living conditions and have an increased risk of substance abuse and mental illness.

Funded by the Greater London Authority, the scheme is a joint venture involving the NHS, Thamesreach, Metropolitan Police and central government.

The plan comes shortly after the council agreed a strategy to end homelessness and rough sleeping in the borough.

The new Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy reveals the rate of homelessness in the borough has risen by 250 per cent since 2011.

Enfield has the fourth highest number of rough sleepers in London and the seventh highest in England.

In September 2019, there were 47 rough sleepers identified in Enfield, 44 of whom were central and eastern European nationals.

Many were found living in groups of cars and vans.

The proposed site in Edmonton is considered suitable for a shelter because it is the part of the borough with the highest concentration of rough sleepers.

It is close to other council services, transport links, access to parking and potential regulated employment.

During their stay at the shelter, occupants would be given the chance to access further support and permanent accommodation.

The proposal will be discussed at a meeting of the planning committee on Tuesday, December 17.

The meeting will be held at 7.30pm at Enfield Civic Centre.