PLANS to convert a seafront guest house into a care home for vulnerable and homeless people with mental health problems are facing mounting opposition.

The Stephen’s Place charity has submitted a proposal to overhaul the Waverley Guest House in Eastern Esplanade.

The Southend-based charity said the care home would help in its “charitable objectives” to “relieve social exclusion, hardship and distress”.

The facility would home homeless, ex-offenders, people fleeing modern day slavery and former members of the military.

The 13-room, four star Waverley is still open but is currently up for sale with Hart estate agents for up to £1.2million.

It is believed the charity is seeking change of use for the property prior to buying it.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of the council and chairman of the Burges Estate Residents’ Association, said: “It is not suitable for a care home.

“As chairman of the residents’ Association as well as a councillor, I have written on behalf of members to say it is totally out of place. It is not in line with council policy. They have done no flood assessment. The application is all wrong.

“There is no way the council can allow this to happen. It’s against council policy in terms of conserving our B&Bs, especially along the seafront. It just can’t happen.”

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Southend Council has previously taken a stance on preserving hotel and holiday accommodation in the town and it is likely to be deferred to the development control committee to decide.

Paul Denney, spokesman for nearby Beaches Guest House, said: “We’ve written a long letter to the council objecting to these plans. It’s against council policy to protect guest houses and also against another council policy which says you have to identify a need for any new care home.

“That stretch of street has eight guest houses. It’s the only place in Southend that has that kind of facility. It’s important for tourism and not the right place for a care home.”

The owner of the Waverley declined to comment but said they had been unaware of the nature of the application. The Waverley is currently still open and operating as usual.

Stephen’s Place did not respond to a request for comment.