Councillors have put off making a decision on controversial plans for a 'homeless hub' – after dozens of residents raised concerns over crime and anti-social behaviour.

Newcastle Borough Council wants to turn International House, a disused office building just outside the town centre, into a new facility for rough sleepers and other vulnerable adults, combining supported accommodation and a drop-in centre.

The proposed hub, on Stubbs Gate, would replace existing short-term accommodation in Merrial Street and homelessness services currently provided at the Salvation Army in Bridge Street. Planning officers at the borough council recommended the scheme for approval, saying it was in an appropriate location and that there were no justification for refusal.

But the council received 36 letters of objection from residents, including those living next door, who feared the homeless hub would lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour, violence and substance abuse on their doorstep. Members of the borough council's planning committee deferred making a decision on the proposals, so that more information on issues such as crime and security can be provided.

Stubbs Gate resident Andrew Bailey told the committee that neighbours feared that rough sleepers would arrive at the centre 'in various states of intoxication', potentially causing problems in the area.

The council received 36 letters of objection from local residents (Google).

He said: "A few of the objections were to do with anti-social behaviour, violence – which unfortunately comes with these places – drug use, drug dealing, littering, noise and general disturbance. A lot of the residents seem to think the whole thing is being railroaded through without public consultation.

"There might be a light at the end of the tunnel for some of these people, fair enough. But for us there will be no light at the end of the tunnel. Our security and peace of mind have been sacrificed for this project. It will be a blight on the area."

The borough council is planning to spend £955,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund on the homeless hub. There would be 12 bedrooms of supported accommodation, along with a shared lounge and kitchen, with at least two staff members on duty at any one time, and a security guard working at night.

A drop-in centre on the ground floor would be open during the day, providing hot meals, showers and laundry facilities, as well as a venue for support services from organisations such as Citizens Advice and Saltbox. Staffordshire Police were satisfied with the proposed security measures such as 'extensive' CCTV coverage, and planning officers concluded that there 'appears to be no evidential basis for residents' concerns' over crime and anti-social behaviour.

Krestal Al-Daami, homelessness and rough sleeper lead at the borough council, acknowledged the 'stigma' around rough sleepers, but insisted that the 'wraparound' support offered by the homeless hub would actually help reduce problems in the area.

She said: "The reason why we need this is that we'll never reduce anti-social behaviour in the town centre, unless we actually are proactive and do something. We don't have this provision, we need this provision, and that's why we're doing this."

Ms Al-Daami said measures were being put in place to ensure 'a minimal negative impact' on residents.

But members of the committee, while accepting the need for the facility, questioned the suitability of the proposed location and the impact on residents.

Councillor John Williams said: "I certainly can't vote for this application because of the lack of information on the impact on the local area. We want to see what actually happens. You're building a fortress where people can't get in. But if they can't get in, where are they going to go?

"There's a need for these, I agree 100 per cent. But my concern is the impact on the area."

Councillor Andrew Fear said: "I can well understand residents being concerned about this place in the evening. What happens when someone tries to bring someone in who is not entitled to enter? Within the building, I have little doubt that things will be secure. My concern is what policies are in place to ensure that security extends beyond the building."

The committee voted to defer the item to a later meeting, asking for further information, including details on the hub's security protocols, and the anti-social behaviour statistics for the existing rough sleeper facilities in the town centre. The committee will also invite Staffordshire Police to attend the next meeting.

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