Culver Road campaigners 'disappointed’ in councillors' response to halfway house plans

The member of the ‘180 group’, which set up a petition opposing the proposed homeless accommodation on Culver Road run by charity Two Saints, said that lack of support from local representatives was a worry.

The 73-year-old, who does not want to be named, told the Gazette: “The other worry the people on this estate have got is that the councillors who we voted in are going to vote for it. We want them to represent us. They aren’t supporting the residents in their area. They seem to be working for the council’s needs. We are disappointed.

“It seems like a case of divide and conquer, and they are trying to push it through under the cloud of Covid.”

The resident emphasised that the main issue was the fact that children from several schools across the town must walk past the building on their way to school, as well as to the nearby play park.

He added: “This is not about what they are trying to do, it’s where they are trying to do it. It isn’t just that we don’t want it on our doorstep, it’s about the kids. That for me is the biggest thing.

“We have seen the reports of people from May Place, and the one in Newbury caused nothing but trouble. They can’t control them in Newbury, they can’t control them in May Place. How will they control them here? They are putting this in the middle of a quiet housing estate, it’s completely crazy.”

The Gazette asked ward councillors Cllr Jack Cousens and Cllr Mike Westbrook (both of Basingstoke and Deane Independent Group) for their position on the issue, given the council’s backing but residents’ fears, as well as any work they had undertaken to represent residents on the matter.

In a joint statement, the councillors said: “Tackling homelessness and helping people turn their lives around when theirs has hit rock bottom is why we became councillors.

“At the moment, the plans have not yet been finalised. A full planning process will take place later this year.”