A HOMELESS charity is applying for permission for a shelter on the doorstep of a £100million luxury development in Southend.

Harp wants to convert a garage into a homeless shelter next to the proposed Marine Plaza.

Harp is hoping to house 12 service users who are at the final stages of their journey with the charity for up to two years.

Plans include a six-bedroomed shared house at 45 Southcurch Avenue, and six self-contained bedsits, inclusive of individual kitchenettes at 47 Southchurch Avenue.

The project is called the Bluebird Project.

A concerned resident, 31, who did not want to be named said: “The homeless shelter development proposal being on the door step to a £100 million flagship development seems to me to be ridiculous and not thought out.

“Homelessness is a complex issue but as HARP says on its website, 63 per cent of homeless people have a drug or alcohol problem.

“To house these people next to such an iconic development is of grave concern as it may put off buyers of apartments for Marine Plaza, and lower the resale value, and also further delay the project or jeopardise it.

“The immediate area surrounding the site is already home to social housing, such as the Kursaal Estate, and high crime areas such as York Road and neighbouring streets.

“From speaking with other residents nearby they are also very concerned and will be attending the meeting on Tuesday.”

Nicky Houston, HARP’s property development manager, said: “The Bluebird Project will provide much needed accommodation for formerly homeless people who are reaching the end of their journey with HARP.

“Unfortunately, affordable high quality accommodation to meet this need is simply not readily available in the private rented sector locally. The service users in this project will have low support needs and we expect that a significant proportion of them will be working and preparing to live independently in the community.”

Work on the Marine Plaza development is promised to begin in April after years of delays.

Planning permission was granted in 2015 for 282 flats along with shops and restaurants on the seafront site opposite the Kursaal. Meetings about the shelter will take place at the site tomorrow at 12.30pm, 4.30pm and 6.30pm. Please call 01702 615000 to attend.