Controversial Homeless Hostel Plans Spark Outrage

West Berkshire Council has recommended approval to turn a former old peoples home in Chestnut Walk, Hungerford into a homeless hostel. Planners will decide on Wednesday, 16 September.

The scheme is unpopular locally. Twenty-three people have written to the council with concerns about who would be housed, including victims of domestic abuse, and the effect on property values.

Thames Valley Police has objected to the change of use, saying the single main entrance creates problems and that the number of doors would make access hard to control. It says access controls for visitors, post and deliveries must be considered.

Hungerford Town Council also objects, arguing a high-density hostel of predominantly younger single people would conflict with the residential nature of Chestnut Walk. It questions how the development would help community cohesion and how it would be managed.

The council says robust management, safeguarding and risk-assessment procedures would be in place, with ongoing monitoring, welfare checks and regular reviews.

It adds it would work closely with Thames Valley Police and partner agencies and have experienced on-site staff responsible for resident welfare, behaviour management and site security.

Any resident who failed to comply with placement requirements or whose behaviour presented a risk could be required to leave. The facility would initially operate with a 24-hour on-site staff presence.

During the day housing staff would provide management, support, welfare monitoring and tenancy services; outside those hours a member of staff or contracted security would remain on site. Night staff would monitor access, respond to incidents and enforce house rules. Communal areas, such as the kitchen, would have controlled opening times.

The development would have 12 self-contained bedrooms, with the option to alter internal layouts for family units if needed, and would accommodate a maximum of 16 residents.

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter