Planners have unanimously backed a 12 flat development to help tackle homelessness in Gwynedd, amid claims that demand for “middle class housing” is resulting in the “gentrification” of the city.

Earmarked for a currently empty site on Bangor city’s high street, Adra’s plans were unanimously approved by Gwynedd Council’s Planning Committee and will see construction of 12 one- and two-bedroom flats, as well as a ground floor facility to offer wider community support for the homeless.

Councillors described the facility as “much needed” and designed to reduce current reliance on emergency bed and breakfast accommodation and help those who may have found themselves homeless or needing some assistance with their transition to affordable housing.

Cllr Steve Collings said: “The last thing we want to see in Bangor is yet another block of student flats, which is the only alternative that’s been submitted for this site.

“We’ve got buildings of 150-200 student micro-boxes wedged into every available gap in the city, but while so much accommodation has gone over to that we also suffer the problem of gentrification from the opposite side.

“For most of the remaining family housing that exist, given that both the university and hospital are employers of professionals that often come from outside the area, the unusual demand for temporary middle-class housing for three-bedroom family houses for rent is through the roof.

“It means that if you don’t have £1,000 a month no-one can live in Bangor, that’s what it comes down to with the students on one side and professionals on the other, which is part of the reason for the chronic homelessness problem.

Cllr Huw Wyn Jones added: “What many don’t realise is how many are living in tents dotted around the city.

“You may be surprised to hear that but off the high street in areas such as the Roman Camp, people are living in tents all year round as there’s no room for them in the hostels.

“We could do with more of these in Bangor, let alone the rest of Gwynedd.”

Following the recommendation of planning officers, members voted unanimously to back the plans.

A spokesperson for Adra said: “These flats will provide a suitable home for vulnerable people and aim to help prevent homelessness in Bangor, Gwynedd, if the planning application is successful.

“Adra will be leading on the development, Gwynedd Council will then manage the building and use it in partnership with North Wales Housing in an effort to reduce and prevent homelessness.

“There has been a 40 per cent increase in homelessness in Gwynedd over the last five years and so Adra believe that this development project is essential to provide people with a home.”