The Government has ruled out plans to close a controversial Aldridge bail hostel, it was revealed today.

The decision to keep the Stonnall Road hostel has left hundreds of campaigners devastated. Residents have been fighting to move the centre since the 1980s, claiming it is not in a suitable location.

But the battle was reignited in August following an alleged sexual assault on an eight-year-old girl by a hostel resident.

Hundreds of concerned local residents, councillors and MPs signed a petition calling for the hostel to close and it was hoped the Government would axe the centre.

But a Home Office letter today says there was no reason for the hostel to close.

It reads: “We are not aware of any reason to believe that Stonnall Road ought to be closed.

“West Midlands Probation Area have said for more than 10 years that they would be prepared to move from Stonnall Road, subject to a suitable and larger alternative site being found – although I must stress that they have never said that they regard the Stonnall Road location as inherently unsafe or unsuitable.

“To do so without an alternative would reduce the amount of supervised accommodation in the area and so would reduce public protection.”

Aldridge ward councillor Mike Flower said: “It’s in the wrong location and the wrong place.

“In the current economic climate, things aren’t being built and there’s lots of land available.

“The fact behind this whole letter is the Government doesn’t want to do anything. They’re quite comfortable where they are and don’t want to be bothered with it.”

Campaigner Lee Stone, aged 35, from Clifton Avenue, Aldridge, said the announcement was disappointing but he was determined the fight would continue anyway.