Bail hostels could be coming to a street near you.

Accommodation centres are being sought by the Ministry of Justice in neighbourhoods in Brighton and Hove.

The news emerged when residents of Dudley Road, in Hollingdean, Brighton, discovered a centre was planned for their street.

Locals said the company who managed the programme, ClearSprings Management, was only required to inform the two houses either side of the earmarked property.

Residents and councillors were seething over the apparent lack of notice, which they feared would have a knock-on effect in the area.

Janet Lowe, of Dudley Road, said: “I can’t believe they would plan such a thing in a quiet residential street.

“I certainly won’t feel safe and I know a lot of parents will think twice before letting their children play outside.

“House prices will plummet if people know there are possible drug users and alcoholics on our street.”

Ward councillor Christine Simpson said: “It is clearly unacceptable that residents and local ward councillors had not been warned or been involved in any consultation.”

Plans for a Bail Accommodation and Support Service (BASS) centre in the street were announced last week.

After a period of indecision The Argus can reveal the proposed site on Dudley Road has now been scrapped.

The reason behind the decision was not disclosed by either the government or the contractor.

The building, which would have housed up to five people, would have been for those who had nowhere else to go after they were released.

The residents could be awaiting trial or may have recently been released from prison.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed its contractor consulted with local authorities and the police when identifying properties.

A spokeswoman for the department said: “The Government is committed to ensuring that no one is denied bail or curfew simply because they do not have anywhere to live. This would not only be unjust but also an irresponsible use of public money.

“Public protection is, however, our priority. That’s why anyone deemed to pose a threat to the local community is not accepted into a BASS and will continue to be held on remand or remain in custody.”

Sussex Police and Brighton and Hove City Council confirmed they are consulted about any sensitivities in the area which proposed BASS properties may affect.

But a spokesman for the council said it had no power of veto over the placing.