A CONTROVERSIAL youth drop-in centre and credit union is set to win planning permission.

If approved, the Clivey Project will be based in Clive Parade on Cricklade Road and will serve people in Pinehurst and Penhill.

It will include a centre for teenagers who currently hang around outside the rank of shops.

But the project has met with opposition from residents and businesses, who have launched a poster campaign. Two neighbours have also written to Swindon Borough Council's planning committee saying they fear noise and vandalism if the scheme is allowed to go-ahead.

The committee will decide on Monday whether to allow the alteration, but it has already won the backing of council officers.

A report by the officers, which will be considered at the meeting, states: "The proposal is for a change of use to a mixed use as a youth drop-in for people aged 14 to 16, and as a credit union, which provides financial services for the Clivey Project."

The officers recommend that the committee grants permission, subject to conditions including appropriate window displays and no opening outside the hours of 8am and 7pm, Monday to Saturday.

Suitable access must also be provided for users with disabilities, including a lift and the widening of the doors.

Credit unions offer many of the same services as banks, such as savings and loan facilities, but without the charges.

As well as being an alternative to banks, however, they also aim to prevent people going into debt with rogue finance companies and loan sharks, who often exploit people by charging excessive interest rates.

The Clivey Project has been set up in response to needs highlighted by young people in the area, largely through another community group, the Pinehurst Initiative Forum.

The planning officers' report adds: "The project proposes to provide a safe meeting point for young people aged 14 to 16 who live in North East Swindon.

"The second intention is to provide premises for the North East Swindon Credit Union, which is a much-needed facility as there is no longer any bank in Clive Parade. The management group of the Clivey Project includes representatives from the churches and the police

The planning committee meets on Monday at 7pm in the Civic Offices, Euclid Street.