HOMELESS pods to protect a town’s most vulnerable rough sleepers through the winter are returning for the third year running.

The special shelters will be set up on the grounds of Shadsworth Leisure Centre to accommodate those without a safe place to stay throughout the four coldest months of the year.

The scheme, which was first introduced in 2020 as part of the government’s winter Protect Programme, helps to protect users from the winter elements and the risk of Covid-19.

Residents will be provided with food parcels.

Staff supporting those living in the pods will seek to find them some form of permanent accommodation by spring.

The scheme has ten homeless pods and two dining cabins which will remain until March next year.

Blackburn with Darwen Council will be paying the full cost of £121,820 for the pods from its own coffers as there is no government support as in the last two years.

The authority's leader Cllr Phil Riley said: "We are really happy provide these vulnerable people with shelter during the cold winter months and particularly pleased if it means they accept offers of more permanent accommodation.

"It is an important service for them."

Council documents reveal: "Blackburn with Darwen Council's Housing Needs Team under their legislative responsibilities will provide temporary accommodation pods for homeless people to provide Severe Weather Exposure Provision (SWEP) for the winter period.

"The housing needs team will allocate the pods to vulnerable people / rough sleepers throughout the winter period.

"A member of the housing needs team and support staff will be on site throughout the working day (9.00am to 5.00pm). Outside of these hours a security guard will be on site.

"The pods are envisaged to be in situ from November to March 14 - a period of four months.

There will be 10 sleeping pods and two dining pods.

"The pods will be located at least three metres away from the existing leisure centre building.

"The proposed pods will not be accessible to wheelchair users and level access will not be provided. Alternative accessible SWEP provision is available in the borough.

"External lighting will be provided to cover the site area."

In 2020 there was a mixed reaction to the pods, with some residents raising concerns over policing and safety but last year they was generally welcomed by many living in Shadsworth.