Another proposed home for a council-run hostel is also running up against opposition from residents, who fear it will bring crime to their street.
The West Pier Project, which was originally sited in Regency Square, was last year slated to move to Seafield Road in Hove, but following an outcry from residents who argued that with two existing hostels already there, the street was already shouldering its fair share of antisocial behaviour.
The plans were scrapped after councillors and Peter Kyle MP spoke on their behalf – and once it became clear that the two houses which were being converted did not have the necessary planning permission.
Now, the council is running a consultation on plans to move it to a former care home in Hereford Street, Kemp Town – but residents there are just as concerned about the plans.
In particular, they have raised concerns that the 26-bed hostel will not be inspected by the Care and Quality Commission (CQC), as it is not a rehab facility.
And they say that with ongoing drug dealing issues at nearby Queen’s Park, Hereford Street is not a suitable location for people struggling with substance addictions.
Resident Emma Roth said: “The West Pier Project is notorious in Brighton for anti social behaviour call outs to the police and ambulance services.
“I am deeply concerned for the families and vulnerable residents of the road. This will bring more crime and drug litter and anti social behaviour to the area making it a very unsafe place to live. Plus also all the ‘friends’ of the users of the hostel will hang around bringing more drugs to our streets.
“As we all know that currently Queen’s Park is being plagued with drug users at the moment-this will not help the situation at all- if anything will make it worse!”
The Hereford House care home closed in 2015 after a CQC report said the care home was inadequate and the owners, Vigcare, said it was not financially viable to make the necessary improvements.
The elderly residents moved out, and the building was then rented out to individuals as a house of multiple occupation (HMO). Later that year, Vigcare director Jogi Vig applied for permission to use it as a 29-bedroom HMO, but this was refused on the grounds that the accommodation was substandard, and that Mr Vig had not justified the loss of a care home.
Mr Vig, of Dyke Road Avenue, Hove, made a fresh application in December 2016, reducing the number of rooms to 25, increasing the amount of communal space and outlining why the care home was not viable in greater detail. It made no mention of being used as a hostel.
The application said: “The care home closed in 2015 as it was not financially viable to continue trading, and because improvements were required in ‘all areas’ in order to meet with current standards.
“Quite clearly, the home has no future and is not going to re-open (certainly in the short to medium term). Consequently it is essential that an alternative use must be found for the building in order for it to remain in active use whilst the long term future of the site is considered.
“The change of use secures continued occupation of the host the premises for a five year period. This allows for the building to remain in active use (whilst suitable long term options for the site are considered) without becoming vacant and falling into disrepair and subject to squatting.
“The scheme also makes a valuable contribution (25 rooms) to the supply of low cost housing accommodation within the city.”
A council spokesperson said: “We are currently working with the local community on the proposed relocation of the West Pier Project.
“As a former care home, Hereford House is perfectly suited to providing the very important care and support these vulnerable people need, and will also have improved accessibility for the residents.
If it is “perfectly suited to providing the very important care and support these vulnerable people need” then stop avoiding CQC regulation. Play by the rules like everyone else has to. If treating substance misuers being in treatment must be insisted upon and therefore CQC regulation is imperative.
I live on the street down from the property in mention and on the whole, agree these people in question but I hasten to add that I see dealers all the time around here now and can only imagine it will get worse.I also know that the dealers when they find out what is being proposed that they will loiter all the more, as these are vulnerable people I really don’t think its a good move.These individuals would have done the most of they’re hard work to clean up only to be tempted on a daily basis.
People with jobs are struggling to find places to live in Brighton. Can’t we move these people who are not working to areas with no jobs? Just a thought.
Why rent to workers when you can lease to the council for 3 times as much? Or 4 times local housing allowance (LHA) rate. Council pay well above market rates for hostel and “B&B” accommodation but only 60% of the market rate for housing for workers.