A number of young homeless gay people are at risk of being kicked out of their sheltered accommodation as the council re-consider the use of the building.
The accommodation, based on Ingleside, Tunstall Road, has been running as housing for 11 young gay people who have become homeless or are at risk of becoming homeless since February 2009.
But now Wear Body Positive, the self-funded organisation behind the project, have to retrospectively apply for the change of use from a residential care home.
A petition containing 63 signatures and 29 letters of representation have been lodged in opposition to the application, many of which contain objections that can not be taken into consideration by the council, according to the application release.
One correspondent raised the concern regarding an ‘underlying homophobic tone’ contained within a few of the objection letters. The council go on to state that the ‘personal circumstances (i.e. gender, age, race, religion, sexuality and disability) of the applicant or residents are not material considerations in the determination of an application for planning permission.’
Legitimate concerns raised by objectors include ‘the principle of development in this area’, ‘adverse residential amenity issues’, ‘impact upon the character of the conservation area’, ‘parking and road safety issues’ and ‘various antisocial behaviour issues’. Anti-social behaviour issues make up the bulk of the objections, according to the report.
I have reached out to Wear Body Positive for comment, but to no avail. All the contact details listed have failed when contacted.
A decision is expected to be made on the future use of the Ingleside residence on January 8, 2010.
