‘We are terrified’: elderly residents want to see the latest orders called in the shelter plans for the old pub

Protest for the conversion of the pub in temporary alocalization

Dozens of elderly residents in a protected housing complex are protesting the offer of a charity to convert a pub of disuse at their door into temporary accommodation for homeless.

The brick wants to take care of the arms of Queens, near Hairdresser City center, to house up to 14 people who leave the rough dream, often those with drug addiction and alcohol problems.

But the residents of Saddle Court, in front of the pub and the people with housing on terraces on the adjacent street of Bridgewater in the Newtown area and local councilor Pat Draper, are against the application.

They say they are already experiencing high levels of antisocial behavior and fear that it gets worse.

The brick wants to replace its ‘brick works’ on Hodson Street, which offers daytime support for people who sleep in Queen’s Hall Night Shelter, and that the beneficial organization says it is currently at risk of being sold by the owner.

“Queens Arms’s public house would ensure the future of this vital brick service,” says the application for planning published on the Wigan online portal.

However, Rose Parkinson, 79, who galvanized her fellow Saddle Court residents to request the planning team in the City Council,: “We already have problems with antisocial behavior and we don’t want more.

“It is a completely inappropriate location to put these people, although we have nothing against them. It’s just that we are all vulnerable and we are terrified. “

Resident Pat Meadow, 77, said: “I think it’s horrible. I live on a ground floor floor and now I am afraid to have my windows open.

“When it was the pub, they smoked and drank and swore aloud. I have grandchildren who visit me, and I am worried about how this will affect them. ”

Jennifer Burton, 76, said: “My floor is near two doors of fire. Sometimes people have tried to enter. All bother us extra criminal activity. ”

Sylvia Carrier, 85, said: “I think it is disgusting that they are trying to do this. It is affecting many people. We are all vulnerable and scared by this. It’s so bad. “

Sandra Reade, 71, said: “I have been here 23 years, 16 of them as a scheme manager. We have had problems with the robberies and the people who attack the security cameras so that they cannot be seen.

“It’s a concern because I just lost my husband. In my eyes, this is more scary. I am really anxious and nervous. “

Lily Comben, 95, said: “I think it is wrong to place an installation like this next to a retirement complex. I think we could have problems. There is no place for those residents to feel in the summer. It is the wrong place. “

Lilian Aitchison, 72, said: “When I left the bus recently, there were a group of young guys spinning, and they began to tell me obscene things. I worry that this type of thing can get worse a lot if the planning application is approved.

Tommy Foster, 83, said: “I’ve been here for two years and I never had problems, but I am worried about what could happen if this request is approved.”

Meanwhile, a resident in the nearby Bridgewater Street has launched a request against the application at Change.org

The resident, who wants to remain in anonymity, says that the installation would create ‘greater anxiety among residents. “Many elderly residents already feel vulnerable and this proposal will increase their concerns about personal security,” he said.

“Similar facilities in residential areas have been related to the increase in crime, including crimes related to drugs, theft and disturbances.”

The application of brick -use change planning says that accommodation would be for homeless single people with ‘medium support needs’.

“The proposed occupants would have been homeless for a variety of different reasons, including evictions without guilt, loss of lease through depression/anxiety, fleeing from domestic abuse, debt, employment, grief and reaction The breakdowns of relations with the family/partners among other reasons, “he says.

He says that the site would be attended by an independent mentor of life 24 hours a day, every day.

The application adds: “Our current time support environment at Hodson Street is at risk since the owner wants to sell, which is not an affordable option for the beneficial organization.

“This building, which is an old warehouse, is not an environment or an environment for the health interventions that we provide, without clinical space or adequate clinical facilities.”

He says that a new support center in Queens Arms would provide immediate access to all support services.

However, Coun Draper said he opposes the request for planning and that he had “called in”, which means that Wigan’s planning committee will have to make a decision about it.

“I am in favor of places like this, but it is not suitable for this area,” he said. “It is too close to protected housing and, in my opinion, it is not an appropriate place for such accommodation.”