Homeless pods behind County Hall in Truro to close

The 21 homeless pods behind County Hall in Truro are set to close, Cornwall Council has said.

A spokesperson said the cabins "were always meant to be a temporary measure introduced during the Covid pandemic" and "these units are now approaching the end of their useful life and we have taken the decision to close the facility".

The council said no-one would be left sleeping rough and that all residents would be offered alternative accommodation and continued support.

The Bunkabins, portable single person cabins with basic cooking and shower facilities, were installed behind the council headquarters in 2021.

Earlier this year an inquest heard how a well-known Truro man died in one of the pods after taking a lethal overdose of illicit drugs.

Ryan Staffiere, 42, was found dead in his cabin on the morning of 11 February last year during welfare checks by staff.

A similar homeless pods site at Rosewarne long stay car park in Camborne closed last September following concerns about rising anti-social behaviour, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Plans for another site near the Tregurra Park estate and Waitrose were dropped last year.

Concerns were previously raised about drug needles, waste and human faeces in a nearby community orchard. Police said officers had worked with the council to address the issues and a clean up followed.

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