Nice photo's Alex, are you trying to make a point or just providing some pictures to brighten up the thread?
My main problem was that they were harassing weans for money, the kids looked pretty scared. I don't think that's trivial. I get asked for money practically every day. Some guy even tried to grab the carrier bag I had my lunch in from me last week.
I think it's fairly obvious where these guys come from. We never used to have this level of begging in the area until this unit was opened. And not just begging. The level of vandalism has increased (including a menshie for the 'homeless crew'!), the litter has got worse, I've had two separate people get into my close and start banging doors in past 2 months, you cannot walk from the Spar to the underground without being asked for money, there is at least one fight a week (usually outside the chippy)...it goes on.
You can call me a nimby until you're blue in the face, I really don't care. I've made my case for why I think this is the wrong place, you don't have to agree with me. Someone else (sorry, can't remember who) actually summed up the whole shambles much more eloquently than I can, why put a unit for alcoholics who 'will not or cannot stop drinking' across the road from a pub?!
Funny how everyone was pretty much in agreement about the hostels over next to Queens Park being a bad thing, yet this is seen as different for some reason?