The Evening Echo

Controversial bail hostel plan axed

RELIEVED residents who faced an "open prison" being set up on their doorsteps were celebrating today after plans were axed.  Housing association Clear-springs confirmed it will no longer buy a house in Kent View Road, Vange, and transform it into a bail hostel.  MP Angela Smith is convinced the firm pulled out after she met with bosses, but the company insists it backed away for "business" reasons. Mum-of-three Julie Plane, who would have lived next door, said: "I am so relieved. I am bringing up three boys and it is difficult enough to keep them on the straight and narrow without criminals living next door."

Clearsprings was hired and assigned to find premises by the Government's Ministry of Justice and is now searching for an alternative location in the district. Billericay Tory MP John Baron, who raised the issue in Parliament, has now vowed to keep fighting against a hostel opening anywhere in Basi-ldon. He said: "We completely oppose people who should be serving their sentence in prison being housed in open prisons within the community." The hostel would not house sex offenders or anyone sentenced to more than four years in prison. Clearsprings, based in Rayleigh, is contracted to open several of the hostels across the country, but in Essex, just Colchester, Harlow and Basildon have been earmarked. According to the firm this is because there is a "need" for the service in these areas.

Basildon MP Angela Smith revealed the news to the Echo after putting pressure on the company and the Ministry of Justice. She said: "This was the wrong location, but the council did not follow the correct process and object in the right way." She said the firm would now reassess where it could provide three bedrooms in the district.

Tony Ball, the councillor in charge of strategic housing, said: "We remain committed to stopping any open prisons being set up in the district. "These people should be serving their time in prisons, not released into the community because of overcrowding. "We objected to all the locations suggested and will continue to do so. Mrs Smith has shown her true colours. "She objected because it was in her constituency, just like with traveller sites, but it is OK for her if they go in Billericay MP John Baron's constituency."

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The Evening Echo

A PETITION has been launched against plans to open a small bail hostel in Vange.
On Friday the Echo revealed housing association Clearsprings was looking at ten possible properties across Basildon for hostels. Basildon Council believes it has already bought 16 Kent View Road, which was repossessed from it was former owners. The Ministry of Justice has asked Clearsprings to set up hostels across the country and claims it only needs to find space for three defendents, or convicts, in Basildon.

Luke Mackenzie, Tory candidate for Vange ward at the forthcoming local elections in May, has launched the petition amid fears it would bring criminals into the community. He said: "This is effectively the Government putting a mini prison in Vange. "The petition calls on the Government to reject the plan for Kent View Road. "This is another case of Labour putting criminals before decent law abiding citizens." The proposed hostel will house homeless criminals awaiting trial, and those released early from prison. Mr Mackenzie added: "This could mean burglars, muggers and drug dealers."

He has spoken to people in the area urging them to back the petition. Neighbours were alarmed by the news. A young couple, who own their own home very close to the proposed site, but who asked not to be named, were outraged. They said: "We have been here four years and it has been great. "We own it, so can't just move away. "There are probably some dodgy people living around here already, but that doesn't mean you want a house full on your doorstep. It will probably devalue the house."
Billericay MP John Baron has written to Justice Minister Jack Straw urging him to reconsider. He said: "I question the level of support these offenders are going to receive once they are released into the community. "These people need help to re-habilitate, but this appears not to have been taken into account."

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The Essex Recorder

One-stop centre to open on estate 

Plans PC Jo Borawski, Kelvin Kift from Circle Anglia, councillor Tony Ball, PC Amber Jenkin and resident Luke Mackenzie
AN estate should get its own police and community advice centre by the end of the summer. The drop-in centre is expected to open by September on the Vange 3/4 estate, which is due for a £14.5million redevelopment. It will be a base for police but there will also be council and housing association staff to deal with queries and give advice to residents.

Resident Jodie How, 26, from Pitseaville Grove, said: "It will be lovely to have a police office. "I was going to sell up, but since the regeneration began things seem to be improving, so we are staying." A police office was due to open last October, but Basildon Council says the project has been delayed while plans to integrate an advice shop are devised. Chris Ellison, managing director of Circle Anglia, which runs the estate, said it would increase estate security and give residents peace of mind. He said: "It will also be occupied by our staff, including community project workers and community wardens." Insp Steve Ditchburn said: "It means officers will be in a position to respond to incidents quicker. They will be on the doorstep and they will be able to help residents with the problems they face." Tony Ball, Tory cabinet member for community safety, said: "Police and other agencies should be part of the community and this will enable much closer links."

Circle Anglia Housing Association moved to allay fears over delays in the revamp of the estate. Mr Ellison said: "The redevelopment will provide new one and two-bed apartments and three-bedroom houses. Eighty-five of the planned 120 homes have been approved, however, plans for some of the sites were rejected and we are revising plans."

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