Opposition grows to homeless centre bid (From Echo)

Opposition grows to homeless centre bid

12:00pm Friday 10th July 2009 in

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OPPOSITION is mounting over proposals to demolish a former church to extend a homeless shelter.

More than 170 letters have been sent to Southend Council objecting to the proposals.

The Homeless Action Resource Project has a night shelter in York Road, Southend, but aims to move the service to the site of its current day centre in Valkyrie Road.

The charity wants to demolish the former church building, which dates to the early 1900s, and build a hostel up to three storeys high with 29 beds.

Neighbours are furious at the plans which they say are unsuitable and out of character for the residential area, constitute overdevelopment, will cause a loss of light and more noise.

Steve Adams, 54, who lives in the road, said: “More than 170 letters have been sent to the council about this, and they’re ignoring our voices.

“We’re not happy about this proposal. They are going to decide it before the end of the consultation period with residents, and that’s wrong.

“We know the facility is needed and it will always be a hot potato where it goes, but people’s grumbles are not borne out of ignorance or prejudice but experience.

“Our experience is living with the day centre and the trouble that brings, with people hanging around and drinking. At the moment it shuts at 4.30pm and people who work don’t see it. If it’s a night shelter it will go on all night and there’ll be no rest.

The plans for the building show the accommodation will be in two blocks. It is likely that residents will stay in one block for between one night to three months.

The long-stay block will be available for stays of two to six months, before relocation to more permanent accommodation.

It will include training rooms, 24-hour security, ensuite bedrooms, offices, a new reception area and a large dining area. There will be no car parking.

Officers have recommended permission should be granted subject to the expiry of the consultation period and no new material planning considerations being raised.

The application will be discussed at a development control committee at the Civic Centre on Wednesday.