City of Edinburgh Council has given proposals for creating a community at Granton the go-ahead

Plans for a village for the homeless in Edinburgh have been given the green light.

City of Edinburgh Council has backed Social Bite’s proposals to create a development for up to 20 people to stay at in Granton.

The charity unveiled plans to build the community last year, and is working with Cyrenians to create the development.

Plans for the village – which will consist of 10 two-bedroom properties – were backed by the council’s licensing sub-committee this week.

Charlotte Turner, head of corporate catering at Social Bite, said that the community setting of the village would allow people to break out from homelessness.

She said: "We would like the caravan licence to open the Social Bite village which will be an innovative, supportive community for up to 20 people to stay for around 12 to 18 months.

"The aim is to empower each individual with the skills required to maintain an independent meaningful life away from homelessness and associated issues such as unemployment, relationship breakdowns, debt, addiction and mental health."

Work on the development is underway, with the village set to house those who are living in unsupported temporary accommodation.