PLANS to turn a nursing home into a hostel for asylum seekers could be blocked following protests from people living nearby.

More than 800 residents signed a petition objecting to the proposal for Lakeside Gardens, in Columbia Village, Washington.

Sunderland City Council deferred its decision on the application last month, and it comes before the Washington and Houghton Area Development Control Committee again today.

Council leader Councillor Colin Anderson said that although the council could not turn down the proposal on planning grounds, members would be urging the Home Office to block the scheme.

He said the council believed the building was unsuitable for accommodation for asylum seekers and would be writing to the Home Office about its concerns.

The decision is likely to be deferred again.

Residents oppose the scheme on the grounds that a large number of transient people living in the building would have a detrimental impact on the community. They also believe it could lead to conflict with local youths.

Earlier this year, the walls were covered in graffiti and two fires were started inside the building in what are thought to have been racially-motivated attacks.