RESIDENTS who say they are worried for the safety of their children are battling to prevent plans to build a hostel for the homeless nearby.

The controversial application to erect the hostel in Baron Street is set to be approved at Thursday's meeting of Bury's planning control sub-committee.

But concerned parents living near to the proposed site, in the middle of a quiet residential area surrounded by schools, claim it is the "worst possible" location that could have been chosen for the hostel.

They will voice their fears to councillors at the meeting, while council bosses will carry out a site visit of the proposed location prior to making a decision.

Mother of two, Mrs Sandra Davies, who lives in Rhiwlas Drive, near to the proposed complex, told the Bury Times: "I am not against plans which help the homeless. But the hostel shouldn't be built on a quiet housing estate near to a school. "The hostel could house all sorts of people such as drug addicts. We have no way of knowing what sort of people would be wandering in and out of there at all times of the day.

"How do we know our children will be safe walking to and from school? My children have to pass the site on their way to St Gabriel's RC School so how do I know they will not be approached by drug addicts or other people?"

The application to develop an 18-bed direct access hostel with ancillary facilities and a block of eight one-bedroom flats has been put forward by Manchester Methodist Housing. Mr Peter Bojar, the company's regeneration manager, stressed the facility would not house sex offenders or known drug addicts.

He said it would provide accommodation for homeless people who need help and support. The flats would be used as temporary accommodation until more permanent housing could be found. The local authority and voluntary organisations would refer people to the hostel.

But Mrs Davies added: "The people who will be referred to the hostel will nevertheless have problems. As a mother my concern is for my children and this is the worst possible place to build such a hostel."

Mr Bojar insisted that all people referred to the hostel would undergo stringent checks by agencies including the police.

"No one will be able just to walk in to the hostel. Everyone who is referred will undergo checks and a risk assessment, including checks by the police.

"What we want to do is to give people a second chance. While they are in the hostel they will be on-license and be given training to help them get their life back on track when they leave.

He added: "It is not in our interest to upset the community. I understand the concerns people have but would like to reassure them that the hostel will be very well managed with staff on duty day and night. We would always listen to concerns local people have."