RESIDENTS are “blissfully unaware” a notorious homeless hostel could be opening in their street in a matter of weeks, people opposed to the plans have claimed.

The West Pier Project moved out of Regency Square in Brighton at the end of 2015 after its residents caused disruption to homes and businesses for 15 years.

Now residents in Seafield Road, Hove, have uncovered plans for the hostel to relocate 22 beds into two adjoining family homes and open in April.

Unhappy residents say they have received almost no information about the plans.

Ward councillor Andrew Wealls has written to council chief executive Geoff Raw asking him to re-examine the decision while MP Peter Kyle has raised concern about a lack of council consultation over the plans.

Emergency services were called out more than 700 times to the hostel when it was in Regency Square, with hotel owners complaining of the damaging impact on their trade.

Seafield Road already has two temporary hostels for vulnerable clients with mental health and addiction issues, a vulnerable children’s home and a backpackers’ hostel.

The latest two homes were bought in October by London-based My Key Properties and an application for change of use was submitted by Hove-based Regency One in November.

A decision was expected from the city council last month but the application remains under consideration.

Neighbours say conversion work is already under way and a seven-year lease has been taken out on the two properties.

Resident Janet Bray said: “For 20 years this neighbourhood has had a problem and for 20 years the council has done absolutely nothing to address that.

“Now they are saying ‘we are not going to help you with your ongoing problem, we are going to add to your problems’.

“Residents are furious that nobody has talked to us. It has been carried out by stealth.

“We are not incidental to this decision, we are pivotal.”

A council spokesman said the city had an acute housing crisis with homelessness an increasing pressure.

He added: “The West Pier Project is a high support service for single homeless people and rough sleepers with complex needs.

“We have considered carefully all options for the future of the West Pier Project and will soon be providing more information about the proposed move of this service. We are committed to engaging with residents about any concerns and our aim is, while recognising the challenges, to balance everyone’s needs.”