Plans for a 42-bed night shelter which provoked uproar among residents have been withdrawn, after a successful community campaign and Northamptonshire Police raising “severe concerns” about crime and nuisance behaviour.
A petition was launched last month to oppose the conversion of the former Lakeview House care home into a hostel for “short to medium-term temporary accommodation,” which was backed by Northampton North MP Michael Ellis.
And it emerged yesterday that plans for the site, in Churchill Avenue, Lakeview, Northampton, have been withdrawn by applicant Sustain Renewable Ltd.
The property was previously used as a care home for 48 pensioners, including 20 people with dementia, before it closed in 2010.
A public meeting on April 22 opposing the plans had to be held outside as so many people attended, and police have since expressed concerns over the potential impact on the community.
In a letter to Northampton Borough Council’s planning department, Sharon Henley, crime prevention design advisor for Northamptonshire Police, said: “Our experience of similar such accomodation would indicate that people in need of urgent short term accommodation tend to lead rather chaotic lifestyles and may suffer from drink and drug-related problems. There could well be nuisance issues associated with this use.
“There is a potential for a conflict of use unless the hostel is robustly managed, and the applicant does not provide enough information to satisfy our concerns in this regard.”
Bernard Kelly, chairman of the Lakeview Residents’ Association, said: “We are delighted the application has been withdrawn. On behalf of the residents, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported our objections, either by signing the petition or writing as individuals.”
Mr Ellis said: “The company applying for permission has withdrawn the application. This is clearly in response to the massive protests from local residents.
“I’m delighted with this news. However, we need to be alert to any future applications, and I hope developers in future will consider something for older people, which was the original use for Lakeview House.”
Osa Eguavoen, for the applicant, has confirmed their intention to resubmit the plans “in due course.”