Alison Hume, the MP for Scarborough and Whitby and Scarborough Mayor Thomas Murray, have joined dozens of residents in objecting to Homemore’s applications to officially designate The Redcliffe Hotel and The Lodge in Scarborough as mixed-use emergency accommodation and hotel sites.
At a meeting last month, more than a dozen people shared testimonies about the impacts of living next to The Lodge on Valley Road in Scarborough, which is used as an emergency accommodation facility.
Residents said they had seen “an extreme change” to their quality of life and called for a planning application by Homemore – which seeks to formalise the use of two hotels as emergency accommodation – to be rejected.
“Given the sheer volume of correspondence I’ve received about The Lodge, I’ve decided to submit an objection to the application through the appropriate channels to ensure my constituents’ voices are heard,” Ms Hume said.
The MP said she also wanted council officers to “see the wider picture” and they recently visited Homemore’s other properties in the town, including Scalby Gate, The Redcliffe and The Wharncliffe.
She added:
“The day before, Deputy Mayor Jo Coles joined North Yorkshire Police and me on a patrol of the Homemore sites to discuss what further action can be taken to tackle the serious anti-social behaviour associated with The Lodge. I’m awaiting further details and the police’s formal response.
“My focus throughout has been on bringing the right people together, ensuring concerns are taken seriously, and making sure decision-makers fully understand the reality on the ground.”
Mr Murray released a video on his social media page:
" Residents, since these places opened are now experiencing atrocious antisocial behaviour, drug taking, and alcohol abuse. So as you know, The Lodge and The Redcliffe recently went to Scarborough Town Council's planning and licensing committee. Although we are just an advisory committee, we still have a big part to play in the process. And it was in this planning and licensing committee where I said some things that they didn't like. And after listening to 40 residents pour their heart out, which you can find more about in part one, I got up and I said to them, I said, "You are operating a complete systemic culture of disregard for residents." And I said to them that I hope you've listened today."
The head of the Reform-led Scarborough Town Council said Homemore didn't listen, adding:
"They went away and they thought instead of listening to the party residents, they decided to put in a standards complaint in against me. And guess what? Came back as no further action, as it should. We'll continue to hold Home Office to account, unlike our local Labour Party and its councillors, or our rather quiet independent councillors on the issue. I will continue to be your voice. Scarborough Town Council will continue to be your voice, and we will continue to stick up for our residents."
Homemore has said it employs dozens of staff as well as subcontracted 24/7 security, and that refusing its applications would lead to people being “scattered around the town in hotels and BnBs with none of the infrastructure and support that we provide”.
The company describes itself as a “specialist housing provider delivering temporary accommodation for adults, young people and families”.
Speaking at last month’s meeting, Andrew Waggitt, managing director of Homemore, said he was sorry for the distress felt by neighbours of The Lodge, and said the feelings described “are totally valid”, but added that there were many “mistruths” about the company.
North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the planning applications which are currently being considered by the local planning authority.
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