A hostel which at one point was slated to become a home for paedophiles will probably now be auctioned off, the Government has confirmed.

There was uproar last year when the Home Office announced plans to house ex-offenders, including people convicted of violent and sex crimes, in the Bedford Hill building.

Deputy home secretary Paul Boateng admitted back in February that the Home Office had been forced to abandon the plans after the outcry, which included demonstrations and a candlelit vigil.

But Wandsworth Council feared the Government would try to sneak the plans through again once it got the general election out of the way.

Now a letter from Home Office minister Beverley Hughes to Tooting MP Tom Cox has confirmed that the building will be offered to other government departments and, if no-one wants it, will then be put up for auction.

Wandsworth Council leader Councillor Edward Lister said he was delighted that ministers had seen sense' and praised the efforts of local protesters in getting the message across.

Now the council is hoping the building will become affordable homes for key workers such as police officers or nurses.

Mr Cox said following Mr Boateng's statement he had never doubted the Home Office's resolve to scrap the plan.

But he also called the news a victory for common sense' and a vindication of local people's concerns.

November 6, 2001 12:00