A HOSTEL for recovering alcoholics and substance abusers has been given the go-ahead despite objections from residents. The building, which will contain seven self-contained flats and 24-hour supervision, will be built next to Habitat at Wincheap in Canterbury after an agreement was reached over the funding of CCTV in a nearby subway.

The decision has delighted those who work in the homeless sector but infuriated residents who feel that Wincheap is becoming a dumping ground.

Senior manager of the Canterbury Open Centre, Mike Emberson, said: "I'm delighted to hear the news. It fills a major gap for strategy in dealing with rough sleepers and I'm confident that with excellent management from the Stonham Housing Association the fears of the residents will be unfounded."

A previous application at the same site was turned down but there have been changes to the plan. These include no access from Wincheap - it will be from the back in St Andrew's Way Ð 24-hour staffing, and an offer of £15,000 towards installing CCTV in the subway.

One local resident, Peter Sudell, said: "I feel very strongly that you should not have facilities exactly opposite a public house. Secondly I think it's not a good idea to have it so near to Christ Church halls of residence."

Some councillors echoed this viewpoint about its central siting and were still concerned about the revamped design.

But many, despite reservations, recognised the need for it to be situated near the centre where alcoholics met and did not foresee problems with local people if it was managed properly. Many recognised there was no ideal place where it could be sited.