Hundreds of angry residents turned out for a public meeting to show their disgust at plans to turn a former care home for pensioners with dementia into an apparent night hostel for the homeless.
Around 200 people attended the meeting on Tuesday night, which was due to be held at the Eden Close Community Room, to discuss plans to turn the former Lakeview care home, in Churchill Avenue, into a short stay, 42-bed night hostel.
However, because so many residents arrived to show their opposition to the plans, the meeting had to be held outside, with MP for Northampton North, Michael Ellis, clambering onto a chair to address the crowd.
He told the meeting the former care home was the wrong place for the hostel and that both residents in the area, as well as homeless people themselves, were opposed to the plans.
The Conservative MP said: “The people behind this plan will be looking to make a profit and we are not interested in helping them to make a profit. I don’t think a hostel here is the right thing for the area and I don’t think it is the right place for homeless people. It is, in my opinion, far better for therm to have access to the town centre and transport services.”
The property was previously used as a care home for 48 pensioners, including 20 people with dementia, before it closed in 2010.
Under the plans, which have been submitted to Northampton Borough Council, the proposed shelter would include 40 bedrooms offering “short to medium term temporary accommodation”.
There would also be two larger bedrooms, which would be used as emergency family accommodation.
It would be managed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by an on-site team of staff.
Around 250 people had signed the petition before Tuesday’s meeting.
Nicky Whitlock, who is helping to lead the opposition, said: “I am over the moon that so many people have come out. There is a lot of concern and worry from residents.”