Where can the homeless live?
No, it's not a case of Nimbyism – more one of enough is enough. Sunderland Council's decision to give land in Dundas Street, for Centrepoint to build a £1 million hostel in Monkwearmouth, is indeed the straw that broke the camel's back.
Now residents are petitioning against the plans to build the three-storey base in the heart of their community, which they believe has become a dumping ground for problem people.
They are already plagued by anti-social behaviour with two hostels, three support centres and various housing association properties within a "square mile" of their homes.
While I'm delighted Centrepoint is to get a new base, as I've already said, I wouldn't want it in my street. And that's the rub.
These homeless young people need role models – people who get up on a morning, go to work and whose lives would inspire them. People like you and me.
Only you see we don't want to see them on the street where we live. So, there we have it.
The fact is nobody wants problem folks living next to them. But they have to live somewhere, preferably beside ordinary people.
It is fear of what might happen that makes us reject this.
However, I believe the Barbary coasters have a sound case. They are already living in fear with a concentration of problem people.
And their views most certainly should and must be taken into consideration.
And that's not just because they are seeing their area, which has already been nicknamed "the new Hendon," going downhill fast.
They rightly question what this council is thinking about putting vulnerable, young people with problems into an environment where they could become prime targets for scum to prey upon.
"We've had murder, muggings, robberies and break-ins down here," said security worker John Rackstraw, 59,
"There seems to be a drug raid every other day and people are too frightened to leave their homes most nights."
Their fears are not unfounded. The biggest stash of cannabis found in the North East was found here, there's a drugs drop-in centre, a bail hostel and landlords who have bought houses and turned them into multi-occupancy lets.
The 16 to 25-year-olds Centrepoint shelters would very likely be exposed to intimidation in an area inundated with the very problems they are being steered away from.
It's a nonsense then and begs the question behind the rationale of what Sunderland Council wants for Monkwearmouth.
Just a stone's throw from the planned hostel is St Peter's Church, bidding for World Heritage status, the National Glass Centre, pricey properties and little palaces.
Residents have every right to berate the council for taking decisions that pull the area down, Centrepoint being the latest.
I asked Centrepoint for their response. I doubt that the words of Maxine Edney, Centrepoint Chief Operations Officer, will quell residents' fears.
She said: "Plans have been submitted to Sunderland City Council for a 15-bed purpose-built service at Dundas Street.
"Going forward, Centrepoint will work closely with the city council and everyone involved, including local residents, to ensure that the service planned for Dundas Street works for not just the young people in our care but the community as a whole."
The first that ward councillor Graham Hall knew of the plan was when he read about it on the front page of the Echo. He has vowed to take the residents' concerns to the council.
"There has been great concern about these plans," he said.
"Four of five other venues were rejected before they decided to put the centre in Dundas Street."
Where were the alternative sites?
The following were rejected "following detailed analysis" by the project steering group and not meeting the criteria of "being north of the city centre, accessible to city centre services and reasonably close to bus routes to Washington; not near to places with vulnerable people, e.g schools, residential homes, etc; near to as little residential property as possible because the provision will be accommodating a group, some of whom can be challenging or noisy."
- Lower Dundas Street
- Southwick School site
- Junction of Washington Road/Downhill Lane (near Bunny Hill)
- Southwick and Wear Social Club, Church Bank
- St Benet's Site
- Old Mill Road, Marley Potts Site (also known as McGees Club/Lee Sykes)
- Redcar House Site
- North Star Pub Site
A concentration of problem people was not included in the criteria.
Monkwearmouth residents reckon they have more than their fair quota of them.
Now they just have to convince the council.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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