FUNDING for a controversial South Oxhey hostel was confirmed this week and the news was greeted with outrage by local residents.

Thousands of residents petitioned against proposals to build a hostel for young homeless people in Gosforth Lane, but Three Rivers District Council agreed to transfer ownership of the land to Aldwyck Housing Association.

This week, portfolio holder for housing Matthew Bedford announced that funding to build the hostel had been secured. Government body the Housing Corporation will provide the money to build the hostel.

Building is due to start early in the new year.

Ongoing costs will be financed by the Crouchfield Trust, a countywide charity.

Councillor Bedford said: "I am pleased that the wheels are finally in motion. "We are aware that there is some local opposition and will be working with residents to allay their fears. "Three Rivers has long needed a facility to provide a stable environment for young people who have nowhere to live." Sharon Clutterbuck lives opposite the site where the hostel will be built and led the campaign against it.

She said: "I am gobsmacked that the council have decided to shoehorn this hostel in on such a dangerous bend, where accidents happen all the time. It is ridiculous. "We showed them other sites that would be more suitable, but nobody paid any attention. They had made up their minds that South Oxhey would be a dumping ground.

"Nobody around here will accept the decision, and the councillors who made it will realise that when they come knocking on the door for our votes next May."

South Oxhey councillor Kerron Cross supported the residents in their fight against the proposals. He described the decision as "a slap in the face" for the community.

He said: "Councillor Bedford had the cheek to say this was good news'. Is this really good news for the people of South Oxhey, who turned out in their thousands to oppose the plans?

"Is this really good news, that we will now have an unsuitable development, on a dangerous bend, where there have been numerous crashes in recent years?" Aldwyck Housing is due to meet with the council on Tuesday to finalise details for the hostel, which will provide accomodation for 12 homeless young people. Patrick Odling-Smee, director of housing and health for Three Rivers District Council, said: "The need for this facility in our district was identified in a report on homelessness among young people in Hertfordshire.

The scheme will offer access to employment, training and education opportunities for local young people through a local partner."

Les Pateman, Aldwyck's head of supported housing and care said: "We are committed to managing this vital resource to the benefit of the local community. Staff from our young persons service will be available 24 hours a day, providing support and help to residents, assisting them in accessing education, training and employment and, ultimately, to be able to live independently."