RESIDENTS opposed to a homeless shelter are considering ‘direct action’ after feeling duped by Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC).

People living in Boughton believe the council’s belated agreement to consult them over plans to convert the former old people’s home Richmond Court into a 36-bed homeless complex is meaningless.

Leading campaigner Angela Chidley said: “We have to work together, as many of us as possible, and take direct action, we have to make ourselves heard and force them to listen to us.”

Residents began campaigning after learning CWaC had awarded its homeless contract, involving the Richmond Court scheme, to Chester and District Housing Trust and Forum Housing.

Backed by Labour ward councillor David Robinson, a motion was passed unanimously at the full council promising ‘a full and open consultation’ on the decision to go to Richmond Court

But Ms Chidley told fellow campaigners on their Facebook page: “Our expectation of this was to be able to find out more information and have our say on this decision. We have still had exactly nothing, despite many letters and emails, some of which you may have been copied in or seen on Facebook.”

She was most disappointed with an email from chief executive Steve Robinson who wrote: “The consultation will not centre on views about whether or not Richmond Court should be brought into use by its owners, Chester and District Housing Trust, to deliver part of the city’s service to homeless people.

“The consultation process will involve giving people information about the services to be provided from Richmond Court, the management arrangements for the service and the timetable for Richmond Court to become operational.”

Ms Chidley responded: “After all our hard work so far, we have just been completely dismissed, are you angry about this? I am!”