Row over town centre hostel for homeless

A row erupted in October 1979 between residents of Princes Street, Stirling and Stirling District Council over a proposed hostel for homeless people.

A four-storey building at 181 Princes Street, the site of the former Labour Club, was chosen as the location for the development.

The Observer reported that sites at Raploch, Cornton and St Ninians had already been turned down by the district council.

One resident, speaking at a meeting between those living in the street and the council, said that the hostel was not wanted in the area.

He said:“What the council proposes to do is completely ridiculous. Imagine building a hostel like this in the middle of a residential street! The council cannot guarantee what kind of people will be using the hostel.

“It will bring the value of our property down considerably. I know of one couple who cannot sell their house because of the threat of the hostel being built. Nobody wants to live next door to a hostel for people who cannot pay their rent, etc.”

The council was said to have assured residents that the hostel would not be used for‘travelling people’.

Officials said that the hostel was to be used for“those people, who for various reasons, find themselves homeless”and who would only stay there until“suitable accommodation can be found”.

The resident added that people there had already put up with a lot from the presence in the streets of British Legion Club, Cape Asbestos Club and the Labour Club.

He said:“All have been very noisy, and we expect [the hostel] to be”.

Reacting to the news that two objectors would be invited to a planning meeting later in the month, the resident said they would‘not be allowed to say anything’and were only allowed to listen.