Assurances over drinkers’ hostel on Holly Park estate

Published: 26 March, 2010
by PETER GRUNER

CARE workers have promised they will do all they can to prevent recovering alcoholics causing anti-social problems on an Upper Holloway estate.

The undertaking was given after Islington Council’s north area planning committee approved plans for a 26-bed hostel for problem drinkers on the Holly Park estate, in Crouch Hill, despite objections from more than 100 residents.

The committee heard on Tuesday how a smaller hostel at the site which closed last year created worrying problems for residents, with drinkers seen staggering around the estate and begging for money. Spokesman for tenants, Andrew Myers-Nobbs, said: “People have had to cross the road to avoid being accosted. Children were being asked for money and felt intimidated. It was all very unpleasant.”

Lib Dem councillor Tracy Ismail said that in a heavily-built-up borough like Islington it was virtually impossible to find a hostel site which would not lead to neighbourhood concerns. 

“But I believe if this is managed efficiently and there is a proper dialogue with the care workers and the residents it can be made to work,” she added.

Labour councillor Richard Watts, representing residents, said that, while he supported the provision of a hostel, the middle of a heavily residential estate was not the best location.

Gordon Slater, a spokesman for West London Methodist Mission, which will run the hostel, said: “We absolutely regret any previous incidents of anti-social behaviour and want to work with residents to ensure they don’t happen again. 

“We are absolutely committed to ensuring there are no problems.”