A RETIRED army officer who saw active service abroad is heading another campaign - against plans to build a controversial new hostel for ex-offenders in Winchester.

Major Ron Cassidy, 70, of Fivefields Road, Highcliffe, joined the Royal Green Jackets in 1951 and served in Malaya and Kenya.

But his latest challenge is appealing to Winchester City Council to reconsider its support for siting the six-bed unit on the site of a garage block in Fivefields Road, Highcliffe.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting on Monday, he said the area, one of the poorest in Winchester, already has enough problems and that the hostility created amongs residents will not go away.

He said: "There is a limit to how many vulnerable people can be housed in a small community.

"This hostel is, I believe, being placed without any thought, consideration or care about those people who live in the immediate area. We care, as I have already indicated to you but you are asking too much for us to take on more problems. Let us be in no doubt it will become Highcliffe's problem."

Maj Cassidy, who served in the RGJ from 1951 until 1983 and later ran the regimental museum at the Peninsula Barracks, spoke on behalf of many residents who believe the council has betrayed them.

They were asked last year to join in a public consultation exercise but the Daily Echo later revealed that city council officers had secretly planned the hostel for 18 months.

"The residents of Highcliffe have been deceived, treated with contempt and received no consideration at all. We surely deserve better than that," said Maj Cassidy as he presented civic chiefs with a petition signed by more than 400 people.

City councillor Chris Pines, who represents the area, echoed his sentiments.

He urged council bosses to reconsider their support for the project and cited many reasons why a delay in the decision process was needed.

Cllr Pines highlighted the need to wait for the original public consultation exercise results and an explanation as to why Highcliffe was chosen, the problems the area already has, the rushed proposals made by officers and the bad feeling residents would hold towards future hostel occupants. I do not feel confident at present that ward members, portfolio holders or the Cabinet could satisfy themselves that they are in a position to make decisions about special needs housing throughout the district, or even within the city, until cards are laid openly on the table," he said.

The city council planning committee will make a decision on the plan by Eastleigh Housing Association.