STOURPORT Town Council has voted to recommend that the district planning committee refuses plans to build accommodation for the homeless in Bridge Street.

More than 1,500 people have already signed a petition rejecting Wyre Forest District Council’s plans to develop short-term accommodation on the car park.

The land has been used as a car park since the old Lloyd’s Garage was demolished in 2014 after Wyre Forest Council served the owners with a compulsory purchase order, saying the site was needed for redevelopment.

At a virtual meeting on Tuesday night, which was well attended by members of the public, Stourport Town Council voted unanimously to recommend refusal of the plans, claiming the proposed location was unsuitable.

Councillor Vi Higgs said: “I have nothing at all to say wrong about homeless people, but we do have facilities for them already in Raven Street and New Street.

"I am definitely against the location of this - it is not what Stourport needs - especially when you consider there are two pubs, a river and arcades nearby which would not suit those people.”

Cllr Jackie Griffiths said: "I have spent a lot of time thinking about this and while we do need to help people less fortunate than ourselves, on balance, this is completely the wrong place for this development.

"You've got all sorts of issues in terms of the bars and facilities there.

"It isn’t in keeping for what we need down there, which is development of retail and jobs.

"As much as I think it’s a good thing to want to do, this is not the right place as far as I’m concerned."

Councillor Gary Talbot added simply: "Build it in Kidderminster."

Since the proposals were submitted last month, nearly 400 people have submitted formal objections and over 1,500 have signed a petition calling on the council to ditch the proposal in favour of a development that will “serve local people and tourists”.

If approved, the three-storey building would provide 18 rooms for people who are homeless or vulnerable.

The property would have its own garden, smoking shelter and car parking facilities, while 14 spaces would be retained for use as a council-managed public car park.

Wyre Forest District Council said this week that many of the objections received so far had been “misinformed or inaccurate”.

Cllr Nicky Martin said: “It is wrong to suggest that the development will be a bail hostel. As a result of government legislation, the council has experienced growing demand to help people facing homelessness. This development will be a positive for many desperately in need and will be an important stepping stone to helping them find permanent housing.”

Although Lloyd’s Garage was served with a compulsory purchase order in 2008, the district council said it reached an agreement with the owner - including payment for the land and compensation - before the sale, which resulted in their objection being withdrawn.

Speaking on Facebook, however, former Lloyd’s Garage owner Paul Mitchell said: “I was put into a position that, had I continued to fight Wyre Forest District Council, it would have cost me a further £40,000 pounds to continue my fight that I did not have.”

He added: "To say I am disappointed in this proposed development is an understatement."