HOMEOWNERS forced to live next door to a controversial drug and alcohol rehabilitation hostel in Ulverston should be compensated if it devalues their property, claims a town councillor.

Coun Jim Prosser said the houses on Benson Street should be valued to see if house prices are affected when the hostel opens in September.

"If it shows there is a loss in value of the properties then the owners should be reimbursed by the Government," he said.

Coun Prosser said members of the council should also show some sympathy for the concerned residents on the street. "As we have already said we are not against the scheme, but we do not think the location is ideal."

But Coun Bob Bolton said house prices went "up and down" all the time. "There is a need within the locality for such a facility and it is for people that have been through rehabilitation and who want to try to get back in the community.

"The attitude of out of sight out of mind is not acceptable in my view."

At the council meeting on Monday, a number of Benson Street residents said they had concerns about the scheme, which will house six recovering drug and alcohol abusers.

Workington-based Impact Housing is in the process of buying 7 Benson Street. The organisation originally planned the hostel at number four but the owner took the property off the market.

Once open it will be managed by the charity, Turning Point, which has agreed to staff it 24-hours a day following the residents' concerns.

One resident John McGee said: "We do recognise the need for the scheme and we are supportive of that. It is an ideal property but I have my doubts over the location. I am going to reserve my judgment until we see it. We are not against it, we just have our reservations."

Mark Barrett, a senior resource manager for Turning Point, said there had been no evidence to show that houses in Benson Street would be devalued. "Our scheme in Chester is in a predominantly residential area and its opening has not affected house prices. We have not seen any evidence near the Workington scheme either, which is also in a residential area."

May 22, 2003 15:00