RESIDENTS who fought off plans for a bail hostel fear they could have a new fight on their hands against proposals for a complex for homeless youngsters.
Businessman Billy Walton, owner of the former Crocs nightclub, in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, plans to develop derelict land in South Burns, next to the town’s Market Place.
This would be a small parade of shops, with 14 flats above, between the Market Tavern pub and Himalayas Indian restaurant.
The flats will be run by Sunderland YMCA to provide much-needed accommodation for homeless 16 to 25-year-olds from County Durham. It will be known as the Children and Young Person’s Foyer In 2001 residents successfully campaigned against County Durham Probation Service plans to build a 25-bail hostel on district council-owned land in Picktree Lane, near the town centre.
Maureen Pattison, a former district councillor who resigned over the plans to build Durham County Cricket Club’s ground at the town’s Riverside, was an opponent of the bail hostel scheme.
She said: "No-one was aware of what was planned there and everybody is so annoyed with it even if it is just flats for homeless children.
"It is dressed up this way but I think it could be a bail hostel. They have been waiting until they can get it in.’’ Jen Younger, of Sunderland YMCA, said: "Since we had the awareness days there have been a few concerns raised but we are planning to iron them out.
"A lot of people have got it into their heads that it will be another bail hostel, which it won’t be.
"We will have to do more consultation with the public about what we aim to do.’’ A spokesman for Durham County Council's planning department said planning permission had been granted for five shops and 14 apartments but additional permission might be needed.
"Based on the current information, the council is seeking further clarification from the developer on the way in which the development is proposed to be used by the YMCA.
"Following receipt of this additional information, if it is found that a new application is required, we will, as a matter of course, consult with local residents and businesses once this application is received."
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