MORE than 100 people attended a packed meeting on Tuesday to protest against plans for a new supported housing scheme in Clare Street, Blackpool.

Community leaders say that the area is already suffering because of two other housing schemes on nearby Alexandra Road.

Roy Parr of the Alexandra Community Group, said he feared that the council would not listen to the views of local people.

"People are running roughshod over us," said Mr Parr: "People are really, really unhappy about this. We feel that enough is enough."

The plan comes before Blackpool's council's development control committee next Tuesday, in a meeting which many residents are expected to attend. Officers have recommended approval for the scheme.

Mr Parr says that, if the plans are passed, he will consider making a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman.

A council spokesperson said: "In January this year, the borough council introduced public speaking at development control committee meetings.

"We can assure Mr Parr that the objectors will be given the same amount of time to air their views at those in favour .

"The fact that the item has been recommended does not mean it will automatically be carried as recommendations are quite often overturned."

* COUNCILLORS look set to give the go ahead to a controversial supported housing scheme -- despite more than 200 letters of objection from people living nearby.

Wyre Housing Association wants to build a home for six vulnerable young people on Clare Street, Blackpool.

There are already two other hostels in nearby Alexandra Road, and the latest proposals have also prompted complaints from the Coliseum Trade Association, Neighbourhood Watch, Area Five Focus Group and Blackpool Combined Association.

Fears expressed by objectors include damage to the tourist trade and small businesses, criminal activity and a high police presence, as well as a reduction in property values and fears that the area could become a 'ghetto' or a 'no-go zone'.

They also claim that the current hostels on Alexandra Road have caused considerable problems, including drink, drugs, late night noise and disturbance, litter, vandalism, theft and unsociable behaviour, including a shooting.

But police and the housing association claim that many of the problems the hostels are accused of causing are not the fault of their residents.

In a report to councillors, the police's Community Safety Sergeant said: "The majority of incidents in the area are juvenile/child related, traffic and domestic. It has previously been identified that whenever there is a problem in the area of the hostel, then it must be the residents who are responsible -- but quite often the perception does not match the reality."

The housing association says that two staff will be on duty permanently at the new hostel, with a police link officer on call 24 hours a day.

A meeting of the council's development control committee recommends that the scheme be passed, with a condition that no more than six young people live at the hostel at any one time.