OBJECTIONS have been flooding in over plans to turn a hotel in Bingley into a care home for young adults amid residents' concerns about a lack of detail.
The application by Chartford Housing, which is part of the Horton Housing social housing group, has garnered close to 400 objections since its details were shared widely on social media.
It concerns the Five Rise Locks Hotel at Beck Lane, and a change in its use from a hotel to a care home, in what is described as for "the provision of low intervention care to individuals".
But those living nearby have criticised the lack of information. They are concerned as Horton Housing deals with a variety of clients, including people who are homeless, have mental health problems, drug or alcohol issues and ex-offenders, according to its website.
One local resident told the Telegraph & Argus she had been told it would be to support 16 to 18 year-olds leaving care, but that without anything official, residents could only assume the worst.
An updated supporting statement, added to the planning application on November 23 now adds: "The property will be a home for 6 months to 24 months for young adults who are generally working or at college with occasional skills support from staff to help prepare them for independent living in the community.
"Staff are on site 24/7. It is assistance for being tenancy ready and support with skills for independence."
But residents are still calling for further clarification.
Lisa Sumpter, who lives a couple of doors down from the hotel, said: "I've been told it would be those leaving care - people on a stepping stone to indepedent living. I'd also heard that there was going to be a consultation with residents, but I've heard absolutely nothing since then.
"I suppose the best case scenario is that it's simply a home for 16 to 18-year-olds, but we only know that through one of the local councillors.
"It's really the unknown of what this building is going to be that is concerning people."
"The main concern for me is that I don't know who is moving in, how they're going to be cared for and how it's going to impact me." Local Councillor Marcus Dearden (Lab, Bingley) told the T&A: "The application has been far too vague and there's complete and utter confusion with local residents as far as what it's going to be now and in the future. "It needs a public meeting to allay residents' fears."
He said he was expecting a meeting to take place early next month.
He did go on to add: "However understandable the local residents reactions have been, there has also been a lot of unnecessary statements of prejudice towards sections of society."
Another local resident, Luke Demot said that once approved as a care home and without any specification in the plans, Horton Housing would be "well within their rights to put whoever they like in their home".
He added: "If this is approved and they do decide to put the more dangerous clients into the home, it would be a huge risk to the many young kids, walkers and school kids who frequent that road to the Five Rise locks on the canal."
The building itself was previously up for auction for £650,000.
The plans themselves would see 13 bedrooms being created out of the hotel with the entrance porch, panels and some windows being replaced.
When approached by the T&A for more clarity on their proposals for the hotel, Horton Housing’s services director, Sue Atkinson said: "We are aware of the concerns expressed by the local community and are in the process of trying to arrange a meeting to answer their questions and allay any worries they have."
In addition an extraordinary meeting of Bingley Town Council's planning committee has been called and takes place on Wednesday, November 24, at 6.30pm, at The Hub, Myrtle Place, Bingley.
The only item on the agenda is the change of use planning application for the hotel. The deadline for people to comment on the application is November 28, and Bradford Council planners expect to make a decision by December 13.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@telegraphandargus.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel