Residents 'fear safety' over rough sleeper homes
BBCResidents have said they fear feeling "vulnerable and unsafe" over plans to build homes for people who have experienced rough sleeping.
Durham County Council has submitted proposals for eight homes near Merrington View, Spennymoor, for vulnerable adults aged more than 25 years old.
A site manager would live on site with the project aiming to help tenants move into mainstream housing within two years.
But local county councillor Billy McAloon said neighbours had claimed they could feel threatened by living with people with "complex social problems".
The programme would be delivered by the council and the Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) as part of plans to reduce homelessness in the area.
The development would consist of two buildings divided into four two-storey homes, with private gardens and parking spaces for seven vulnerable adults, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
Mr McAloon, councillor for Tudhoe, requested the application be considered at a planning committee and said his concerns were supported by 12 letters of objection with one letter of support.
LDRSHe said residents, including elderly and disabled people, had told him they were worried about feeling "vulnerable and unsafe", adding: "Perhaps even become threatened by the introduction of more people who have complex social problems."
Mr McAloon said opponents would also "bemoan the loss of their last remaining small green space" which had only recently had some new trees planted.
Durham County Council's planning department recommended the plans be approved ahead of a committee meeting on Thursday.
All potential residents would be assessed by the council based on the view of other agencies including police, probation, health services and veteran services, the application said.
"Any risks would be assessed with a focus on any risks posed to the staff, the other vulnerable residents in the scheme and the wider community," it added.