PEOPLE in a Durham village are worried about plans to turn a former nursing home into a hostel for asylum seekers.

A planning application to change the use of the Appletree Nursing Home, in Frederick Street North, Meadowfield, has been lodged with Durham City Council by G and J Houghton, of Gateshead.

One resident, from the nearby Meadow Green estate, said: "We are extremely concerned. This is a residential area and we'd be concerned about whatever kind of hostel was proposed.

"When you hear what has happened elsewhere at refugee hostels, this just wouldn't be suitable in this area. Possible crime and vandalism is a big worry.''

Another resident said: "The council sent letters to people in the immediate vicinity but they should have informed a wider area about something like this.

"People are worried that the value of their homes could go down.''

The firm's architect, John Angus, said: "It is intended for short-term asylum seekers.

"We don't exactly know the numbers yet. There are 60 rooms. The provision is for single people although it is not impossible that the occasional family will be accommodated. It depends on placements with the Home Office. I can't honestly say whether it would be all male or all female.

"These units are in essence self-contained in that residents are provided with a full meal service, laundry and cleaning service."

Mr Angus said up to ten people would be on duty at the hostel and that the firm would sign an agreement preventing future use of the hostel for drug addicts or sex offenders.

He added that asylum seekers "are perfectly normal people who are here for a period of time until their applications can be pro-cessed and I don't see why they shouldn't be treated like anybody else.''

A council spokeswoman said 100 letters were sent to residents, signs were posted at the site and a newspaper advertisement was taken to publicise the application. Durham Police are being consulted on the application.