Neighbours re-assured over hostel for homeless plan
A disused pub could become a hostel for the homeless.
The charity Homeless Care Ltd has applied for permission to convert The Cricketers pub in Maidstone’s Mote Road to a shelter for seven people while they get on their feet.
The site on the corner with Kingsley Road lies adjacent to 13 almshouses run by the Cutbush and Corral Charity.
The organisation applying for planning consent already runs Goodsell House – a hostel for 10 men in Tonbridge Road, as well as the Day Centre for the homeless in Knightrider Street.
It hopes to use the ground floor of the pub, which closed in 2011, as a communal living area, with seven separate bedrooms on the first and second floors, with shared washing facilities.
Homeless Care is keen to point out that the property would not be used as a drop-in centre, or for one-off overnight stays. Residents would be in work, but with- out a permanent address. They would have to convince the charity they had a “willingness to get on the road to recovery.”
Tenants would be allowed to stay for up to six months, while the charity helped them to find permanent accommodation of their own.
A full-time social worker would supervise both hostels and ensure no drugs or alcohol were on the premises.
Some residents of the neighbouring almshouses were initially worried about the scheme.
But Caroline Gambell, the Cutbush administrator, said: “We were concerned about the potential for noise and disturbance for our residents, but now that we have spoken to the trustees we have been re-assured.
“They are aware of the almshouses and will ensure the hostel is properly supervised. “We have no more qualms.” Homeless Care said bringing the vacant building back into use would likely reduce vandalism and improve the overall appearance of the area.
It assured neighbours that the hostel would be “for rehabilitation not relief”.
Details can be seen on the Maidstone council website under reference 14/504410