A BID to continue running a controversial hostel in a former Clacton hotel has been turned down - despite claims it could lead to more homeless on town centre streets.

Tendring Council took enforcement action against the Frandon, in Beach Road, almost a year ago.

Council bosses said the Frandon’s operators did not have permission to use the building as a homeless hostel instead of a hotel.

The building has continued to be run as a hostel after an appeal was launched against the council’s decision.

The appeal is expected to be heard next week.

Owner Deepak Sharma also applied for formal permission to run it as a hostel, but this has now been rejected by planners.

The council claims the way that the hostel operates does not contribute to community safety and residents do not receive the support needed to regain control of the lives.

Eight letters of objection were received against the application.

A council spokesman said: “The loss of a tourism use and its replacement with a hostel would not meet the aims of the council’s policies, which look to revitalise the area and build on local strengths, such as the tourist economy.”

The hostel currently provides 21 beds in 14 rooms, including the manager’s accommodation.

They share a communal kitchen and dining room and residents can stay from a single night to up to six weeks.

They have to leave the premises during the day time and are not allowed to return until evening.

The council says it has a policy that hotels or guesthouses in the centre of coastal resorts cannot change their use unless there is proof they are no longer financially viable.

The rules aim to safeguard hotels for visitors and support local tourism.

The council says there has been no marketing exercise at the Frandon to justify the loss of a hotel and tourism jobs.

The building is also inside Clacton’s conservation area.

Hostel bosses say the facility has been in operation at the Frandon for at least 14 years.

They claim it could be forced to close or cut the number of beds if planning permission is refused and the appeal fails.

Their application said: “If this occurs, then a number of transient people will be displaced into the local area, which in turn, may result in a variety of problems, such as increased homelessness and anti-social behaviour.

“If these people are within a hostel, then at least they are able to stay inside and can be provided with support from the staff of the hostel.”