Petition against shelter plan

More than 180 signatures were collected on a petition against controversial plans for a homeless shelter in Wolverhampton in just four hours.

Residents and campaigners against the proposals for a shelter for 27 troubled youths in East Park say the number of people putting pen to paper without hesitation proves the bid should be thrown out. Focus Futures wants to close its current hostel in First Avenue, Low Hill.

The plan is to replace it with a new base on the site of the former troubled Dan O'Connell pub in Hurstbourne Crescent, which closed around three years ago.

Daniel Friel, vice-chairman of East Park Residents Association, said today: "This would house 16 to 25-year-olds who may or may not have used drugs in the past. It is too close to schools and to elderly people.

"This area is supposed to be getting 100 new bungalows for elderly people but they are talking about moving in troubled young people nearby. It will not be a good mix.

"A group of residents was out on the streets yesterday, and between lunchtime and 4pm we filled six pages with signatures on a petition calling for this to be scrapped – that's how strongly people feel about this."

Ward councillor Pat Byrne said the building would be too close to East Park Infant and Junior Schools and "vulnerable" elderly residents. She said: "I am totally against what they are proposing for this site.

Wolverhampton City Council spokesman Tim Clark confirmed no application had yet been lodged. The plans were unveiled last Tuesday by Focus Futures, part of Blakenhall-based Focus Housing Group.