Homeless men and women in Wrexham will spend the festive period housed in specially built containers.

Planning permission was granted by Wrexham Council in March for four shipping containers to be constructed at Ty Nos on Holt Road near the town centre with the aim of helping to house the homeless.

To be run in conjunction with Clwyd Alyn Housing Association, the council has now confirmed to the Leader that the project should be up and running in December.

An unconventional solution to Wrexham having the second highest number of rough sleepers in Wales, facilities will include a kitchen, sitting area, double bedroom and shower/toilet.

Three of the containers will be used as regular accommodation while the fourth will be dedicated to adverse weather and will be open during nights from 8pm until 8am.

A spokesman for Wrexham Council said: “The modular homes, which will provide medium-term living space for homeless individuals in need of stable accommodation, are due to be delivered in December.

Three will be used as accommodation under a licence agreement with those using the containers, while a fourth will only be used during activation of the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

The spokesman said: “The containers will not be used as long-term accommodation, and those staying will be able to apply for accommodation on a strict, licensed basis, and will engage with services as a way of making themselves ready for longer-term tenancies elsewhere.”

When the plans were approved in March, planners allayed any fears over the appearance of the containers. According to the planning officer, due to the layout of the land, neighbouring houses would would not have their views impacted by the containers.

Cllr Paul Pemberton also suggested they would be painted sympathetically.

The project has been backed by Nigel Lewis, former Wrexham town centre forum chairman, who runs the Wrexham Matters Facebook page.

He said: “I’ve seen them installed in places like London and Bristol and as far as I know they’ve been successful.

“They have got a fully kitted out kitchen with a bed as well.

“They’re everything you could ask for really. I think they’re probably a good idea.”

He added: “Homelessness is a big problem all over the country, not just Wrexham, so it’ll help people get people off the streets, especially in the winter.

“It costs a lot of money to put homeless people up in housing, so in theory this is a cheaper and stylish option.

“Hopefully they’re built to a good standard and if it gets people off the streets it’s certainly worth a try.”