A HOUSING association has lost its appeal to build a new hostel for homeless families.

Family Mosaic turned to the planning inspectorate earlier this year after Basildon Council’s cross-party planning committee threw out an application for the controversial facility in Pound Lane, Laindon.

Councillors ruled the 16-bed hostel, which was expected to house people made homeless in fires, was out of keeping with the character of the area, which is mainly made up of bungalow.

They also ruled neighbours would lose their privacy and be overlooked.

More than 180 residents signed a petition against the hostel, because they feared it would lead to drug addicts and alcoholics on their doorstep.

John Scarola, Labour councillor for Laindon Park, who led the campaign against the plans, said: “It’s fantastic news for the residents who stood firm.

“It’s completely the wrong position in a residential area. It would have caused all sorts of problems.

“Family Mosaic was wrong to think they could just get on with it without any opposition.”

The building, which would have been put on land where two homes once stood, was intended to replace the ageing Rylands Hostel, in Wickford, which no longer meets modern standards.

Cullum Parker, Government planning inspector, threw our the appeal, ruling the building would appear overdominant and harm the appearance of the street.

He said: “Concerns have been raised by local residents in terms of the likely increase in crime locally, the potential types of tenant that may be housed in the building and the destabilising effect resulting from the high turnover of residents using the building.

“But there is little evidence that conclusively demonstrates that these concerns are indicative of the specific issues that would arise were this scheme permitted.

“However, this does not alter my findings on the adverse impact on character and appearance of the area, and the subsequent inability of the proposal to represent sustainable development.”