A family house in Alexandra Gardens has been leased by the York
Road Project to house homeless tenants on a term from 1 month to 2
years. These tenants have been described as low risk, however they
may be ex-offenders and/or have previous issues with drugs and
alcohol. This part of Alexandra Gardens is a quiet cul-de-sac of
family houses where children are often found playing in the street.
There is no passing traffic, we are not patrolled by the police and
any incidents that occur would need to be reported by the residents
of the street i.e. we will end up policing the project ourselves.
There are also elderly neighbours in nearby properties suffering
from health issues.
The news of the York Road Project's intention to create a house of
multiple occupancy in our neighbourhood has caused many of the
residents a severe amount of stress and anxiety and is affecting
their mental health.
Whilst we are sympathetic to the plight of homeless people in the
Borough we feel that this project has been badly conceived, managed
and communicated, and the YRP have already confirmed that the first
two residents will be in place within the next few weeks.
The York Road project has tried to do this by stealth with no
effort to enter into discourse with the residents that will be
affected by their plans. This project has the potential to ruin a
close-knit community, filling it with fear of the new residents and
distrust for the Council. Knaphill as a community already has
a responsibility of care with the Cygnet Hospital and the Cygnet
Lodge, housing many residents with complex needs. This is in very
close proximity to Alexandra Gardens.
As the YRP is partly funded by Surrey County Council and Woking
Borough Council, we would ask that Woking Borough Council
support us in our bid to raise this issue with immediate affect
working with the relevant Departments / Council Leaders &
Senior Team Members, and at the next Executive meeting ensure
that the York Road Project can be persuaded to change their
minds.
This ePetition ran from 15/06/2021 to 21/07/2021 and has now finished.
404 people signed this ePetition.