By Julian Whittle Political editor

Last updated 05:32, Friday, 11 July 2008

CARLISLE MP Eric Martlew hopes to stop a new homeless families’ hostel from being built next to the homeless men’s hostel in John Street.

He agrees with Castle ward city councillors Kimberley Hunter and Jim Tootle who believe that women and children in the families’ hostel would be at risk.

The MP will ask Homelessness Minister Iain Wright to re-examine the £3.9m scheme before funding is released.

Mr Martlew said: “It is a totally inappropriate site. There is no doubt there are some men with severe problems [in the men’s hostel].

“I got a complaint yesterday from students who saw one injecting himself in the street. I think the council are taking a wrong decision.

“They are going for that site for financial reasons and we will have to live with the consequences for a long time.”

He added: “I will make an approach to the Minister to look again at this before this money is released. The council should have looked at more suitable sites.”

The city council’s executive backed the scheme this week. It goes to the full council for approval on July 15. The hostel would replace the families’ hostel in London Road and house up to 22 women in eight self-contained flats.

The plan is to build it on a car park next to John Street men’s hostel and move the council’s homelessness advice service to the same site, providing a one-stop homelessness service.

Council development director Catherine Elliot told the executive there had been concerns about locating the men’s and families’ hostels together.

But she said: “Officers feel the risks have been managed and minimised.”

The two hostels would have separate, secure entrances.

And the families’ hostel would have safe and secure play facilities for children.

The Government has agreed to meet half the cost through a £1.89m grant under its Places for Change programme. However, the funding bid must be in by the end of July.

Council officials are due to meet Shaddongate Residents’ Association today to discuss outstanding concerns.

And the hostel is the main item at a special neighbourhood forum meeting on July 16, the day after the council votes on the scheme.