A bail hostel could be created in Canterbury whether residents like it or not.

ClearSprings, a private company, has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Justice to establish 150 hostels across Britain.

Canterbury and Whitstable MP Julian Brazier says Canterbury is one of the places earmarked for a hostel, which will be used to house defendants unable to give courts a proper bail address.

Fearing that residents will not he consulted over the plan, Mr Brazier has written to Government minister Jack Straw to outline his concerns.

ClearSprings, based in Rayleigh, Essex, runs a scheme called Bail and Home Detention Curfew Accommodation Support Services.

It was introduced last year to allow courts to make greater use of bail and for prisoners on early release from prison.

Clearsprings says it excludes offenders with convictions for any sexual offence, cruelty to children or racially aggravated offences.

And the Ministry of Justice says the defendants bailed to a hostel will be “low risk” and will spend an average of 11 weeks there.

Most hostels will house four defendants, who will be monitored but not on a 24 hour basis.

The Kentish Gazette has asked the Ministry of Justice whether there are firm plans for a hostel in Canterbury. It had not responded at time of going to press.