A COUNCILLOR has insisted that a closed swimming pool will not be turned into a ‘homeless hostel’.

Instead, Sansome Walk swimming pool looks set to become a block of 76 YMCA ‘accommodation units’, 22 affordable homes and a business hub.

Around 100 residents met at Worcester Baptist Church on Monday night to voice their concerns about the project.

Lawson Cartwright, who has started a campaign against the development, said house prices in the area had plummeted since the project was announced.

But city councillor Joy Squires reassured residents that Sanctuary Housing and the YMCA want to consult with those living nearby.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Squires added: “The city council has no intention of using this as somewhere to place homeless people. That will not be happening.

“It’s not a hostel for homeless people. It will be for single people in employment or in training or for self-employed who can’t afford rents in the private market.”

Cllr Squires said she does not know what will happen to the residents who live at the current YMCA hostel in Henwick Road, Worcester.

Some people questioned where these people - who have been either homeless or at risk of homelessness - will go when the hostel closes, which is due to happen by December 2019.

Other residents hit out at the ‘density’ of the project and said that it would create over 100 homes in an area already packed with houses.

The demolition of the Sansome Walk site, which contains three different types of asbestos, is due to start in mid-August and end in mid-February, according to Cllr Squires.

Neighbours raised safety concerns about the demolition, which is expected to cost between £1.3million and £1.9million.

The YMCA and Sanctuary Housing failed to attend the meeting, despite invitations.

Locals will receive letters within the next eight days explaining the different stages of the demolition.

The city council decided to sell the site to the YMCA and Sanctuary Housing in March.