FOOTBALL manager Harry Redknapp was told today to “face the residents he is evicting” through his plan to turn accommodation for the homeless into flats for the rich.

Labour general election candidate Corrie Drew, who will contest the Bournemouth East constituency, has penned a letter to the former Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur manager over plans by his company Pierfront Properties to redevelop the Hampshire town’s Belgravia Hotel into luxury flats.

In the letter, seen by the Morning Star, she demands that he come to meet the residents to hear their worries.

“While this investment may be of some importance to you, it means everything to the current residents,” Ms Drew writes.

“I ask you, therefore, to meet with us at the hotel this week to discuss the issue.

“We would like to hear from you and for you to listen to the residents who are due to be evicted.

“It is particularly difficult for local people on low incomes to find affordable housing here and even more so for those who have had additional challenges in their lives.

“I’m sure you would agree that no-one should be without a home.

“I hope that there is some way to reach an agreement which will not threaten the current residents’ well-being, or your good reputation.”

The hotel, in Bournemouth’s Christchurch Road, was turned into homeless accommodation in 1988 by Wendy and Gerry Hunt, who took over the letting of the building.

Their residents pay £100 a week, all bills included, and are not asked for a deposit or character references.

Some of the tenants, who include a teacher, an army veteran, people with various disabilities and former prisoners, have been referred to Mr and Ms Hunt by local social services.

But now the Belgravia’s 29 vulnerable residents are facing life on the streets after Mr Redknapp’s decision was given the go-ahead by the planning committee of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council in late September.

Ms Drew told the Star: “Harry Redknapp has power, money and influence, but these people he threatens to make homeless have no voice.

“Housing is a fundamental human right and I will not rest until everyone in Bournemouth East has somewhere to safe to call home.

“Harry Redknapp should face the residents he is evicting immediately.

“He should take the opportunity that his immense wealth gives him to do the right thing by these people.”

Tony, who has called the Belgravia home for the past 13 years, told the Morning Star: “I’ve been living out of boxes for months not knowing what’s going on. It’s really affecting my mental health.

“I’ve been doing maintenance on the building and looking after it. It’s my home and now I haven’t got anywhere to go on Monday. The council don’t care.”

Council planning officer Tom Hubbard offered his sympathy to those facing an uncertain future, but added: “It is understood that the sublease for the existing HMO [house in multiple occupation] has already been revoked and this does not have significant bearing on planning considerations.”