This article is from page 4 of the 2006-09-26 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
CONCERNS have been raised by local residents over a proposed new homeless hostel for Ennis.
Residents living in the Clare Road area of the town say they have serious concerns over the St Vincent de Paul Society’s plans for a €2.1 million homeless hostel in the area.
Last week, the society lodged plans with Clare County Council to convert the former Laurel Lodge B&B into a hostel suitable for accommodating 13 men.
The hostel will provide support and rehabilitation to those experiencing homelessness. The St Vincent de Paul say that measures will be in place to ensure that no disruption is caused to homes in the Clare Road.
Concerned residents are to outline their reservations in a submission to Clare County Council.
Locals say they have serious concerns about the siting of the hostel in an area with close proximity to the town centre and have fears it will lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour.
“We are very concerned about having the hostel in this area. We don’t want to see anti-social behaviour and have people drinking and carousing,” said one concerned resident
“You have mainly elderly people living there and the fact that it is so close to the town is a big thing. There is a pub just down the road and you are going to have people coming out of the town looking for a bed and not being able to get in, and what is going to happen then?”
Latest figures show that 490 people accessed Clare County Council’s homeless unit in 2005.
Locals acknowledge there is a need for the service in the town, but are concerned that the hostel will be providing transitional housing.
“I think it is the wrong place for it. There are people walking the road every night. There is a need for it, but it is just the wrong place. The transient aspect is the major thing.
“If people are refused entry, they’ll be hanging around causing anti-social behaviour.”
The St Vincent De Paul society along with Clare County Council, Ennis Town Council and the Health Services Executive examined a number of properties in order to identify a suitable location with close proximity to the town centre.
“They dropped leaflets in the door and said they didn’t get much of a response, but that doesn’t mean that people want it there” added the resident.
A planning decision is due in late October.