A HOSTEL for homeless people could open in Calderdale.

And the team behind it have moved to allay fears in the community.

The Ashley Foundation is seeking planning permission for a vacant mill at Maude Street, West Vale.

It would provide housing and support for single homeless people.

Jay Everett, of Addison Planning Consultancy, the agent for the Foundation, spoke at a public meeting last night held with staff, parents and residents at West Vale Primary School.

Mr Everett, a planning consultant, said: “The Ashley Foundation has hostels which co-exist quite happily in residential areas.

“The immediate reaction is one of concern, people aren’t quite sure what type of people are going to be coming into the environment, but we hope to allay fears by explaining the management procedures and how it will operate to residents so they can better understand what the aim is.

“The Foundation is about helping people who want to put their past behind them. It provides a very supportive environment for people.

“The potential location has been chosen because it has good links and the council themselves say there is a need to provide accommodation.”

Community discussions are part of the pre-planning process and a planning application is expected to be submitted to Calderdale Council later this week.

The Ashley Foundation runs six hostels already, three in Blackpool as well as eight ‘move on’ flats and three hostels in Blackburn.

They are hoping the West Vale hostel would have room for 32 residents who could remain there for up to three to six months.

Residents come from a variety of backgrounds – they could be fleeing domestic violence, recently released from prison or have drug, alcohol or mental health issues and are unable to sustain an independent lifestyle.

Mr Everett said the Foundation had strict rules and residents signed a licence agreeing to abide by the rules and code of conduct.

He added: “The hostels work elsewhere; we seldom have issues in terms of complaints from neighbours.

“In one location it is in close proximity to a school and we have a letter of support from them.”

Clr Malcolm James, a Liberal Democrat ward member, said he was keeping an open mind about the issue saying there “is undoubtedly a need to help people” in such circumstances.

Concerns raised relate to lack of public amenity in West Vale.