A RESIDENTIAL street in Kings Furlong is the right place for a new homeless shelter, the leader of the council has said.

Charity Two Saints is preparing to submit an application for planning permission to build a 23-bedroom facility at 180 Culver Road.

Residents have previously raised concerns about anti-social behaviour and the impact on the community.

Cllr Ken Rhatigan, leader of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council, said the location is "the right place" as it is close to town and has access to medical help and facilities.

When asked by The Gazette if he would want it behind his house, he said: “Of course, look I am quite prepared to have buildings in my area. I am quite happy. I am not a NIMBY.”

“Because of the closeness to town where there are facilities, medical care, Citizens Advice, it is much better to have it in town where there is transportation and additional help. There are GPs surgeries.

He added: “It would be a bit silly to have it in Burghclere, Kingsclere or Ashford Hill where I live because there are no facilities around it. These people need support, they don’t just need a roof over their head, they need support to have a better life and better opportunities. Therefore, yes it is the right place.”

He said that Two Saints was the “right partner” to bring the project forward. He said: “Of course, planning is always difficult, but I genuinely believe it is the right thing to do.”

The leader accepted this would be a “hot potato” for new ward councillors, Conservatives Sam Jeans and Arun Mummalaneni as well as Labour’s Michael Howard-Sorrell.

He said he does not whip voting however, allowing councillors in his party to vote how they wish.

He added: “It will be a hot potato for those new councillors, I am aware of that, but Sometimes doing the right thing doesn’t please everyone. We are an administration that has to take bold steps to help everyone. I believe in a hand up, not a handout."

He said May Place, the current provision for homeless in Basingstoke, was no longer suitable. He said vulnerable people and their problems were "spilling out" into the town.

Cllr Rhatigan said: “This is an opportunity to get the right facility in the right place and to give the number of people that are there, the help and advice they need without fear or favour and with privacy.”“You wouldn’t want to have to discuss your problems on the street because you’ve just been kicked out of May Place but that is what is happening right now, and that’s not right.”