CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert a bed and breakfast into a homeless shelter will go ahead despite vocal public opposition.

Yesterday evening Wokingham Borough Council's planning committee decided to approve a plan to convert 7 to 9 Shute End into a residential hostel.

The build, which will include ten self-contained units, was voted for unanimously by councillors. 

Simon Price, head of housing, said: "Currently we transport homeless people to Slough and Reading. 

"At the moment when we export a family outside the borough it causes much disruption. Many residents have children that have to travel to school from outside the borough. 

"All the people in this accomodation will be Wokingham residents."

While the project would go a fair way to housing the town's homeless population, 13 neighbours wrote letters of objection to the council.

James Corfield, director of Guildgate House on Shute End, wrote: "I have done some research into buildings providing temporary residences.

"Unfortunately, they attract anti-social behaviour, loud music and drug use.

"Whilst there is no guarantee that this building will be the same, it is highly likely."

Mr Corfield later wrote two further letters of objection.

Others expressed concern for the future business prosperity of the town.

Dermot and Judith Coughlan wrote: "The use of the building as a hostel is out of character with the surrounding area.

"It is close to the town centre which is in the process of regeneration and improvement and adjoins listed buildings which typify the market town of Wokingham.

"The use of the building as a hostel will not help to encourage business of the type that Wokingham Council hopes to attract, to move in to the town."

Another, anonymous, objector was worried anti-social behaviour they had observed when the building operated as a bed and breakfast would return.

They wrote: "Class A drug dealing at premises, constant smell of Class B drugs being smoked in the garden. Prostitution also occurred.

"Whenever police raided the building there were drugs being launched from the windows into local back gardens."

Since the application was submitted on June 5, not a single letter has been written in its support.

Regardless, officers working on the proposals recommended councillors give it the thumbs up.

In their report they wrote: "The proposed scheme would provide an appropriate form of accommodation for vulnerable groups in a sustainable location.

"The proposed development would not have a significant impact on the residential amenity of any neighbours, would not cause any highway issues and would not have a detrimental impact on the character of the area."

A condition of the plan is that there will be staff present at the site between 9am and 5pm on weekdays.