Unpopular plans to extend a hostel for men with housing needs have been shelved and look likely to be turned down.

Colchester Council's planning committee was last night presented with plans to extend Byron House, which currently houses 16 men, so that it could cater for a further nine.

The applicants want to build a two-storey extension to incorporate more bedrooms, along with room for a night watchman.

But residents who live near the house, in New Town Road, Colchester, believe they already put up with enough from the people who live there.

John Pugh, of New Town Road, said: "Quite frankly we already feel intimidated enough. We get swearing from the kitchen area, loud music from open windows, residents trying keys in our lock, expletives and drunk gentlemen singing."

Tracy Till, manager of Byron House, was in favour of the extension. She said: "The facilities cater for vulnerable gentlemen with social problems. We deal with problems in house, but we are not guardians to the residents."

And a report from the council's housing strategic services section, included in the agenda, was also in favour of the extension so that more men could be helped.

Councillors were concerned that the site was being over-developed, so decided to defer the plans so they could formulate proper arguments for refusal.

Published Friday March 5, 2004

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