CATFORD: Bail hostel could close (From News Shopper)

CATFORD: Bail hostel could close

3:30pm Thursday 25th December 2008 in

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TALKS are being held to close a controversial bail hostel on a housing estate.

The ClearSprings hostel, for offenders either on bail or early release, opened in February in Chestnut Close, Catford.

Residents had campaigned for the hostel’s closure, claiming they had been threatened with weapons, found syringes in the street and were afraid to let their children outside to play.

Figures obtained by News Shopper show callouts to the street nearly doubled in the first six months the hostel was open.

Police were called to Chestnut Close 35 times from February to September this year compared to just 20 times in the same period last year.

Lewisham Council, which claims it was not properly consulted on the hostel’s location, has met with ClearSprings and the police to discuss the problems surrounding the site.

And in a letter to ward councillor Councillor Mark Morris, the council confirms that ClearSprings, which runs the hostel under contract from the Ministry of Justice, is looking for an alternative site in the borough.

However, the letter from executive director of community services Aileen Buckton says it is unlikely an alternative site will be found for at least six months.

Cllr Morris said: "The residents of the Meadows estate who have campaigned long and hard against the bail hostel, but in a measured and responsible way deserve real credit.

"Bail hostels have a crucial role to play and no one is saying they shouldn't exist in local communities.

"However, a terraced house, bang in the middle of a crowded housing estate, simply make no sense."