HUNDREDS of objections have been submitted over plans to convert a Christchurch care home into a 20-bed hostel.
BCP Council confirmed the former Queensmead care home in Bronte Avenue would be used to accommodate the homeless.
As reported, the local authority submitted plans to use the site as a 20-bed hostel for a temporary period of up to five years.
The application did not state who would move into the hostel and was slammed for being too “vague”.
It is now facing hundreds of objections from residents and elected leaders.
An updated management plan for the scheme has confirmed the hostel would be used to accommodate “those experiencing homelessness with low or no additional support needs”.
This can include individuals, couples, or adult family units, but not any children under 18 years old.
The council added the hostel is “not earmarked to provide specialist supported housing to meet complex behaviours or risks”.
The management plan reads: “The council has statutory obligations to provide temporary accommodation for people who approach it for assistance following qualifying eligibility and assessment tests.
“Once placed in temporary accommodation people will stay until such time that an appropriate housing solution has been found.
“Queensmead as with other similar provisions locally will support residents who lose their homes through no fault of their own, who have few additional needs other than the fact they don’t have a home, the current cost of living crisis is expected to further increase local homelessness pressures.”
The new document also offers assurance that the hostel will be staffed 24 hours a day, and the council will “not tolerate issues of concern”.
It reads: “Due to the council’s robust management procedures and, levels of security, very low levels of anti-social behaviour are experienced at the other temporary accommodation sites.
“We do not anticipate this site to be any different and wish to reassure the local residents that the Council have a wealth of experience in dealing effectively with any ASB within the property or its immediate vicinity should any issues arise.”
BCP Council also said the hostel will help to reduce its reliance on B&B’s and hotels in the conurbation, where more than 200 ‘households’ are currently staying on a temporary basis.
A decision is yet to be made on the application.
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