Hundreds of people have signed a petition against plans to turn an old pub into a homeless hostel.

The Sisters of Mercy want to convert the Rising Sun pub in Seymour Road, Northfleet, into somewhere for up to 12 homeless people to live.

Resident Betty Taylor joined forces with her neighbours and has already collected more than 500 signatures opposing the plans.

She said: “My main objection is that we don’t want any sort of homeless around here. It can cover a multitude of sins – paedophiles, ex-convicts, people with problems – and we don’t want them around here.

“It’s a nice quiet little area, we don’t really have any problems, but I think this is just going to ruin it. Surely our views must count for something? This is not the place to house them.”

The charity, which says homelessness has risen by 30%, is partly funded by Gravesham council and KCC as well as support from public donations.

It says the plans would see each homeless person given a member of staff to help them get a job and the premises would be staffed 24 hours a day and covered with CCTV.

The charity has two other properties in Gravesend, in Edwin Street and Hillside Drive.

The House of Mercy, which has been open for 21 years, will not allow arsonists, sex offenders and people with a history of violence to stay.

The Sisters of Mercy have a strict code that its tenants would need to observe, including no alcohol or drugs, including cigarettes.

Referrals to the other two shelters can be made by the homeless themselves, any other agency, such as the Citizens’ Advice Bureau, and Gravesham council.

Nearby neighbour June Gray said: “The people I’ve spoken to are very much against this and there’s also concerns about it devaluing our property.

“Not only that but there’s no room to park around here at the moment as it is. This really isn’t the place for them to go. Not a lot of people know about it – I didn’t get a letter through the door.”

Mum Carly Cox agreed, saying: “There’s a lot of single parents around here and will they feel comfortable walking around here? Children walk to school past here every morning. The mums at Cecil Road school I’ve spoken to are all 100% against it.

“There’s an old people’s home up the road and the kids regularly play out the front of the pub. I think people are going to be scared about going out.”

The pub closed about five years ago and has remained empty, though recently there were plans for it to become a day centre for people with learning disabilities.

A decision is expected to be made on the plans by the end of October.