A MEETING held over controversial hostel plans had to be halted after attracting an “exceptionally high” turnout of residents in Christchurch.
Members of the public flooded into Christchurch Library on Tuesday evening, March 21, as the town council’s planning committee met to discuss plans for the former Queensmead care home.
An application submitted for the site in Bronte Avenue outlines its proposed use as a temporary hostel for a period of up to five years.
The plans have faced extreme backlash from residents, many of whom arrived at the meeting to share their concerns.
However, the library’s maximum capacity was quickly exceeded, seeing many people turned away at the door.
Those able to attend shared “many objections”, before it was agreed the town council would reconvene in a larger venue at another time.
The re-scheduled meeting is due to take place on Monday, April 3 at 6pm at the Hall on the Hill in Marlow Drive.
Town Clerk James Sheehy said: “Last night’s exceptionally high turnout demonstrates the strong public interest in local planning matters in Christchurch, and the important role Christchurch Town Council plays in ensuring the voice of our some 31,000 citizens is heard across the BCP area.”
The Town Clerk added the council is actively looking for a new meeting venue in recognition of its “highly active community participation and regular attendance at committee meetings”.
The application for the hostel, submitted by BCP Council, has already faced hundreds of objections by residents and elected leaders.
When it was first made public, it was slammed for being “vague” after it failed to state who would be moving into the hostel.
An updated management plan for the scheme has now confirmed the hostel would be used to accommodate “those experiencing homelessness with low or no additional support needs”.
This can include individuals, couples, or adult family units, but not any children under 18 years old.
The council added the hostel is “not earmarked to provide specialist supported housing to meet complex behaviours or risks”.
A decision is yet to be made on the application.
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