This ward already has more hostels (wet, dry, bail etc) than any other ward in the city. If any more institutions for people with serious problems are located in this ward, there's a real risk it will become a problem ward.

Hyde Park and Woodhouse is not an affluent suburb. It's an inner city area where the indices of social deprivation are already far higher than they are for most other parts of the city. In view of this, it really is rather unfair of recent correspondents to accuse Lynn and other local residents of being hard-hearted nimbies for being concerned about a proposal to locate yet another hostel there (Letters, November 6).

St George's proposal is very worrying for parents who already have the task of explaining the behaviour of Crypt users to their children when they pass them on their way into town. Perhaps if your correspondents had children themselves and the proposal was to relocate the Crypt to their ward, they'd be more understanding.

In her letter Lynn also mentioned the lack of consultation with local residents. For a proposal which is likely to have such a major impact on the lives of local people, a small ad in the YEP and a notice on a single lamp post is totally inadequate.

At the very least, the management at St George's should have knocked on doors and explained to people exactly what it is that's being proposed and arranged for people to visit the Crypt and talk with its useers. But none of this has happened.

Also of concern to local residents are St George's plans to establish a rehabilitation centre for drug addicts to be located just a few minutes walk from St Michael's. There has been no consultation with local residents over this proposal either.

Equitable

No-one disputes that St George's Crypt does good work but that is not what is at issue here. What is at issue is whether or not it's equitable for the Crypt to relocate to a ward which already has a very heavy concentration of hostels for people with problems.

What we are asking for is an even spread of these much-needed facilities across the city.

Bill McKinnon, Kendal Walk, Leeds


I have a great deal of respect for the St George's Crypt charity and for the work that they do. So, I was angered to hear that a group of people known as the Friends of Woodhouse Moor are protesting against the temporary rehousing, of residents of the Crypt.

St George's Crypt has provided care and support for the homeless and those in need for over 78 years. The charity was recently granted £1 million from the Government's Places of Change programme to develop their facilities. This would mean a suite of three rooms to help residents improve their skills and employability, 12 new bedrooms, a newly designed cafe, a lounge and a therapeutic garden.

St George's Crypt plan to temporarily house the Crypt residents at the former St Michael's College in Hyde Park.

Drinkers

The Friends of Woodhouse Moor are expressing concern that the street drinkers will graduate to Woodhouse Moor. Not all street drinkers are Crypt users and not all members of the Crypt are on the streets, drinking alcohol.

The views of these people are prejudiced and ignorant. If they were dealt a bad hand in life and found themselves in the same position as many of the Crypt users, they would expect the same help and care that St George's Crypt is giving.

Laura Louise Dowlin, One Mill Street, Leeds