Residents' fears over BCP Council plan to turn former Christchurch care home Queensmead into homeless hostel

MORE than 80 objections have been made to a plan by BCP Council to turn a former care home in Christchurch into a hostel for homeless people amid fears that it will house drug addicts and recently released prisoners.

The council has submitted an application for a change of use at Queensmead in Bronte Avenue to become a 20-bedroom temporary hostel.

A social media campaign was launched last week by a Christchurch resident who claimed to have been told by the council that the building would house ex-offenders who had committed serious crimes.

BCP Council did not specify to the A&T whom would be housed there, but said it would consider “local sensitivities and client personal risk assessments”.

Neighbours have objected as Queensmead is near schools and in a residential area, with some saying online it was “inappropriate” and “wrong”.

One said: “The local area is predominantly young families and there is a real concern their safety could be affected by the potential persons being housed there.

“I am also concerned about crime and anti-social behaviour increasing as a direct result.”

Another said: “This is completely inappropriate in a residential estate full of young families, the elderly and nearby three schools.

“I watch hundreds of school children walk past that building every day, many on their own as they get to Twynham.”

Others agreed, with one saying: “It is close to a primary school, across the road to an old people’s home and hospital. I feel that the area is peaceful and of very little crime and this would not stay like this.”

A BCP Council spokesperson said the ultimate plan for Queensmead was to provide “extra care housing” for people.

Residents would be those whose “disabilities, frailty, vulnerability or health needs make ordinary housing unsuitable, but do not need or want to move to long-term care”.

But as that will take a minimum of two years to create, the council intended to use the building as part of its strategy to “end homelessness”.

The council spokesperson said: “It is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council’s vision to end homelessness in the area and give everyone a safe place to live that they can call home.

“When placing residents in settings, careful assessment of their suitability is made prior to each placement. Considerations including local sensitivities and client personal risk assessments are all circumstances which are considered.

“We have a statutory obligation to provide temporary accommodation for homeless people.

“Queensmead has been identified as a suitable site.”

They added: “The Queensmead temporary accommodation – if approved – is not proposed as specialist supported housing.

“Instead, it is intended to support BCP residents who lose their homes through no fault of their own, in their recovery from homelessness which is often a traumatic time.”