A PROJECT which could provide 12 flats for homeless young people in Burnley town centre has met strong opposition from local residents.

The project, by the West Pennine Housing Association and the Stepping Stone Project, is for 12 one bedroom flats for young people aged between 16 and 24 on land at Junction Street in the Spa Mill area.

The plans were drawn up to provide accommodation for young people, which was in short supply in the town.

Young people would be able to stay for between 12 months and two years, while also getting job training and help to move on to an independent life.

But a drop-in session held at Dickie Pinks Club in Whittlefield, attended by some 60 residents, found some up in arms because they believe the crime rate in the area could rise, and the plan could have a negative effect on house prices.

They are organising a petition against the plans.

The housing association has been in discussion with Burnley Borough Council about where best to site the project, and an application is due to be submitted to the council for planning permission soon.

A spokesman for West Pennine Housing Association said: "It would be for young people in Burnley. Obviously, what we are looking to do is support people so that they can move on and become positively contributing members of the community.

"There is such a definite need for something like this in Burnley and young people would benefit enormously. There is so little supported housing provision in the town."

She added that a member of staff would be on site at all times and that the plans would be designed in conjunction with the police.

Resident Dean Metcalfe, of Bivel Street, said he and other residents would be fighting the plans to site the housing near their homes.

He said: "We feel extremely strongly about this. We are worried about the effects of crime, and that our house prices could be affected by this.

"We also feel that, as some of our houses are just feet away from this development, we have not been consulted at all. It has been a very hush-hush operation.

"We are worried about the criminal and drugs element which might be involved here. We have not had a lot of the assurances from the organisers of this development that we want.

"We realise there is a definite need for something like this, but it should not be in a residential area like this."

He added that residents also objecting to the new-build project on the grounds that there are hundreds of houses around Burnley standing empty.

The Stepping Stone project, a national voluntary organisation, already has one supported housing scheme in Burnley, which gives young people emergency housing.