Culver Road residents feel application for halfway house is being 'pushed through' by council

The application by charity Two Saints was first submitted on July 7 and went live on the website last Thursday, July 29.

People now have until August 19 to respond to the application, including to submit any objections.

Residents of Culver Road have previously submitted a petition objecting to the plan, which they say is ‘inappropriate’ in a residential area. They also cited fear around drug and alcohol use, anti-social behaviour and litter.

Now, members of the petition group have raised concerns about the application being 'pushed through' during the school holidays, when many people may be away, and restricting schools from the opportunity to respond.

A letter, jointly written by residents David Orchard, Steph Coombes and Alan Metzger, is being sent out to residents of the Kings Furlong street, reminding them about the consultation deadline.

Speaking to the Gazette, Alan said: “Again Basingstoke Council and Two Saints are using stealth measures.

“Two Saints put in planning to the council on July 7 and we were told there was such a backlog at the planning department that it would take ages for officers to look at it, but it was put on council website only 18 working days later.

“It’s been planned to put this through when most of our people are on holiday and schools are shut.”

However, Cllr Sam Jeans (Conservative, Brookvale & Kings Furlong) said that the planning department has assured her that all interested parties will have the opportunity to respond.

She said: “I can see why they feel like that, however I have been assured by the planning department that should any objections arise after the 19th deadline, they will be taken into consideration, so that the summer period doesn’t impact people’s ability to get educated and object should they wish to do so.”

People will be able to send in responses up until the date of the development control consideration of the application, with a date for this yet to be confirmed.

Cllr Michael Howard-Sorrell (Labour, Brookvale & Kings Furlong) said he was unable to express a public opinion on the subject due to sitting on the development control committee, but added that he urged all residents to have their say.

“Anybody who has any sort of stake in the development should engage,” he said.

“I can say that when I have had applications come across my desk in the past and I have seen concerns, that has certainly prompted me in terms of asking questions of the officers and the applicants themselves. There could be a hidden gem from a resident that no one has thought of.”

Cllr Jeans and her fellow Conservative ward councillor Cllr Arun Mummalaneni will be holding a public meeting to provide Kings Furlong residents with information about the proposals. This is on Monday, August 9, at 7pm at Carnival Hall on Council Road.

“The purpose of the evening is to provide information for local residents. This is not an anti-homeless facility protest, or a ‘let’s support it’ protest,” she said.

“It’s about getting the maps up on the wall and flagging any potential issues. Should they then wish to go away and object to the planning team, or to write to the council supporting the project, then they are informed. I know people are being very emotionally charged about the subject but we need nobody being antagonistic or fired up.”

She added: “The plan is that when it goes to Development Control, either Arun or I can also speak on our residents’ behalf, it allows us to collate opinions.

“There is nobody here who is against who is against supporting homeless people, we just want to make sure that should it go ahead it is with respect for safety provisions for local people.”

You can view and engage with the planning application here before August 19.