THE charity behind plans for a new homelessness accommodation block in Kings Furlong has said it will be discussing its ideas with residents in the area in “early February”.

Two Saints, a Hampshire-based homelessness charity announced in December that it plans to submit an application for a 23-bedroom facility at 180 Culver Road.

Residents in the area have since voiced their fears about the plans, with one telling the Gazette he worries it will become ‘a sweet shop for drug dealers’ in an otherwise ‘quiet family neighbourhood’.

Charlotte Buckingham, executive director of client services at Two Saints, said: “Our plans for the empty 180 Culver Road site are to develop a custom-built supported living housing scheme, which will give people without a home - from the Basingstoke and Deane area - the best chance possible to turn their lives around.

“The supported housing scheme is a home where we will be on-hand to support clients 24-hours a day and work on individual solutions to help them rebuild their lives, for the long term.”

However, she acknowledged the worries of local people, and promised a ‘careful and sensitive’ approach.

She added: “However, we do understand as the current building - which was previously used as a children’s home and by the youth offending team – has been empty for some time, this will feel like a big change for some people living nearby.

“We’re absolutely committed to working closely with the neighbours. We want to do things carefully and sensitively and involve them before, during and after the building process. And when we are fully open, our teams will be on hand 24-hours a day, every day supporting our clients and as a valuable communication link for local people too.”

Charlotte said that the charity works to help support people struggling with various “triggers”, but that this didn’t have to cause problems for others living in the area.

“While these issues often give people problems with managing their own lives, it doesn’t necessarily make them anti-social or a problem for neighbours,” she said.

The charity says that residents have now received a letter inviting them to schedule an appointment with them to discuss the plans.

Slots are available in the morning, afternoon and evening so that people can find a time and date that suits them and, as conversations can’t now be face-to-face due to lockdown restrictions, they will be conducted on the phone or over video call.

Charlotte said the organisation intends to make a formal planning application after they’ve spoken to the neighbours and heard their thoughts, and they will also let the neighbours know when this is done.

The plans also have the backing of both Hampshire County Council and Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council.

Borough council cabinet member for homes and families, Cllr Tristan Robinson, said: “These proposals to demolish the derelict building at Culver Road and replace it with a modern state of the art supported housing scheme will make a real difference to people who are homeless, or at risk of being homeless, in our community. We are glad to be part of this project, with Two Saints Housing Association and the Social Inclusion Partnership, to help turn lives around, not just provide somewhere to go off the streets.

“But we do understand that some neighbouring residents may have concerns about the scheme, especially given they have not yet been able to see in depth the detail of the proposals and the type of management and support services to be delivered. The individual engagement with neighbours planned by Two Saints next month will give a chance to ask questions and raise issues. We will do all we can to support this and hope it will help to involve residents and allay their concerns so that the new scheme feels part of the community in which it will be located.

“This is an opportunity to develop new well-managed supported living schemes at a time when homelessness is at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts.”