Controversial plans to open a homeless centre opposite a primary school have been branded "laughable" by angry parents.

Objections have been flooding in against the bid to launch the facility at the former Royal British Legion Club in St John's Road, Margate.

The centre would provide emergency beds to the homeless and support services for ex-offenders and those with alcohol and drug addictions.

Its location - opposite Holy Trinity and St John's CofE Primary School - has been described as the worst possible place by parents and local residents.

They have warned of the possible negative impacts of having such a facility so close to a school.

In one objection, Martha Thompson, whose daughter attends, says she may have to change schools if it is given the green light.

"They are proposing a safe area for people who are drug and alcohol abusers, which is a fantastic idea, but this location is so bad it is laughable," she said.

"Not only is it right next to an off-licence and a known drug-dealer haunt but directly opposite a primary school.

"My daughter attends the school and I wouldn't want to be dropping her off when there is the possibility of drug paraphernalia and broken glass, but also having her outside at break times possibly hearing swearing, fights or drug deals going on as the playground backs on to that road.

"I understand that these things may happen without this facility being on the doorstep, but the risk massively increases with it being there."

Parent Gavin Whiting says while the centre is a good idea, the location is completely wrong.

"How anyone could think this would be suitable to put next to a primary school is beyond me," he said.

"Drug use and alcohol consumption is already ripe and causing residents enough problems already..."

"I feel violated for me and my children, the children at the school and the teachers who will have to explain why the people there are doing and saying what they are.

"I dread to think what else may occur."

People living in the area have also been submitting their objections, urging a rethink over the location.

Dr Ambrose Gillick says the hub would constitute a clear danger to the safety and security of the school children.

"A proposal of this kind would not be entertained by a serious or competent local authority," he said.

"Nor would it be considered even remotely viable were the school fraternised by wealthier families.

"In a time of pandemic, inviting vulnerable and potentially virulent people this close to a school is imprudent, bordering on negligent."

Some claim the St John's Road area already has issues with anti-social behaviour and drug use.

One resident living near to the building says he has been complaining for years.

"Drug use and alcohol consumption is already ripe and causing residents enough problems already," he added.

The plan to convert the building into a hub is by Paramount Independent Property Services LLP, working with Thanet District Council and the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

If approved, it will have a mix of seven emergency beds for homeless people and be a community hub for the council's Rise clients (Rough sleeper Intervention Support and Empowerment).

It would be used by many services including probation, substance misuse organisation the Forward Trust, Porchlight, DWP and mental health support.

Cllr Helen Whitehead, cabinet member for housing and community services, says supporting those who are unfortunate enough to find themselves in the position of being homeless is quite rightly a priority for the community and therefore for the council.

"This project, which will also bring a disused, empty property back into use, is part of a strategy to support single homeless people through holistic, wraparound care that prioritises an understanding of the individual needs of each person," she said.

"As a community we need long term, effective approaches to both preventing and ending homelessness within our area; and this requires not only an understanding of the importance of a cohesive approach but also the necessity of this provision.

"Any one of us could become homeless, at any point.

"A significant percentage of society is only one month away from struggling to maintain accommodation; this is not something that happens to strangers.

'Homelessness can affect anyone and those who are affected need support' - Cllr Helen Whitehead

"This happens to our loved ones, our friends, our families; it can happen to us, and I think this is something that we all need to be mindful of when considering how we view this facility and any preconceptions in terms of those who may need its support.

"Homelessness can affect anyone and those who are affected need support, both from the council and from the wider community.

"It is also our role as a council to ensure that those organisations working with our residents deliver services that work well, and in a considerate, sensitive and positive way.

"The hub will be delivered by PIP, a partner who has worked on a number of key housing projects and focuses specifically on supporting clients to reconnect with the community and with opportunities for employment.

"We will work hard alongside PIP to ensure that their projects do not adversely impact on the community, and we are already putting measures in place to minimise any potential impact."

A spokesperson from PIP added that the organisation is proud of the planned community hub it is seeking to deliver with Thanet council.

"We have worked together to propose a building where multiple agencies can come and host a range of services, such as for nutrition and mental health," he said.

"These services could also extend to those wanting specialist help with personal debt or those who require help with their housing needs.

"The proposals for Legion House feature very high levels of staffing per person using the services, and the building will be fully manned 24-7 to ensure that it becomes a welcome addition for the community.

"The proposed designs have been generated through detailed partnership working to meet and exceed the Ministry for Communities Housing and Local Government’s stringent standards, as well as the appropriately high local expectations in regard to the planning and licensing for these much needed schemes.

"We have years of demonstrating that we can seamlessly integrate these schemes in a positive way into their locality without any harm or detriment to our neighbours."

Rob Garratt, head teacher of Holy Trinity and St John's, says he is unable to comment until he has more information about the plan.

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