HORRIFIED residents who have been left disgusted at a protest group's opinions on "young, single people" have backed plans for a housing development.

ZONE A is a group of Ulverston residents who are fighting South Lakes Housing's plans to convert the former town hall into 18 one- and two-bedroom flats.

An article published last week by The Mail was met with fierce criticism of the group who many have labelled as "snobs".

ZONE A have argued that the development will attract "young and single people who will be let loose on Ulverston town centre" and believe the tenants will be "unemployed people" whose presence will lead to "drug problems".

Responses ranged from "small-minded" and "speechless" to the more outspoken "absolutely disgusting" and "sanctimonious".

Shaun Blezard wrote: "What utter twaddle. Such an utter lack of humanity, to care more about your house value than people.

"A bit of bad luck and it could be any of us needing such accommodation. Has the gentrification of Ulverston got totally out of hand that idiots like this abound?

"I'm glad I can't afford to live in my hometown anymore if these people are the voice of the town. Luckily I know they are not typical of Ulverston.

"There are many young single people around that make Ulverston a great place."

ZONE A chair Dr Roger Lindsay believes the development will be "very damaging to Ulverston".

A leaflet distributed by ZONE A states one of the problems with the plan is that "tenants may be young and single and let loose on Ulverston town centre".

"This is 100 yards from the town centre and it will create serious problems," said Dr Lindsay, who is originally from Wolverhampton.

"If you live in a one-bedroom apartment and you're unemployed and on benefits the question is what do you do with your spare time? You go and hang about in the town centre and we get problems with drug use."


In response, some Ulverston residents and shocked readers have set up a petition in favour of the flats.

The 38 Degrees petition, set up by Peter Garbacz in response to friends from Ulverston expressing their outrage, states: "There have been attempts by a minority of local residents to paint potential tenants as, and I quote "young, single unemployed drug users" which is not only an awful statement to make but grossly untrue.

"The aim of this petition is to show that the vocal minority are just that - a minority.

"Affordable housing should be a right, everyone no matter their status should have a roof over their heads and this development address a very critical need in Ulverston - there simply isn't enough social housing."

The petition, which has so far attracted more than 150 signatures, can be viewed at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/support-social-housing-in-ulverston