A council housing chief is looking at commissioning new research into Bath's street drinking problems before going ahead with a controversial safe haven for drinkers in the city.

A petition signed by around 400 people was presented to a meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council last night, protesting at plans for a so-called wet house and homelessness hostel in James Street West.

A building used by the Genesis Trust is currently the preferred location for a facility which would replace the existing Julian House night shelter in Manvers Street.

But local residents and businesses are furious at the choice of the site, saying the putting a wet house at the scheme - aimed at vastly improving services for the homeless - would turn the clock back on years of progress in improving the look and image of nearby Kingsmead Square.

An attempt to force an emergency debate on the issue at the full council meeting last night failed, but cabinet member Councillor Vic Pritchard (Con, Chew Valley South) announced a concession in a written answer.

Mr Pritchard is also looking at whether to set up a three-month trial wet house - where street drinkers could congregate and get help for their addiction - in Royal Victoria Park next summer.

In answer to a written question from Councillor Andy Furse, whose Kingsmead seat takes in the James Street West site and who had urged him to look elsewhere for a location, Mr Pritchard said he realised extra work was needed on the subject.

The full text of the answer from the cabinet member for housing and adult social services was: "Street drinking, and the associated anti-social behaviour that is attached to this activity, remains a serious issue of concern for many residents and visitors to Bath.

"To fully tackle this issue the council recognises that further work is required. To that end I am currently examining the possibility of commissioning independent research into the issue. This research will be used to inform our future options, both in the short term and the longer term.

"As you will appreciate ruling out the possibility of a wet garden area in the proposed homeless hostel at James Street West before I have the results of this research would be inappropriate."

Mr Furse said the ruling Tory administration at the Guildhall was being unnecessarily secretive about the scheme.

"Nearly all the business owners and residents who came to speak mentioned the lack of consultation and engagement from the council. One might begin to wonder whether there is more information which will impact businesses and the community which is so far being held back.

"I do, however, welcome the cabinet member's suggestion about 'commissioning independent research' into the wet house scheme and I urge him to make sure any research is shared with the public and businesses in an open and transparent fashion."

The wet house has also raised concerns from pub landlords.

Myles Gallagher of the Bath Pubwatch scheme which aims to promote a safe night-time culture said: "Bath Pubwatch is extremely concerned with the proposed wet house and night shelter on James Street West. Over the last number of years Pubwatch has worked with many local agencies such as Avon and Somerset Police, the B&NES anti-social behaviour team and street marshals to improve the environment in and around Kingsmead Square. We believe that all the improvements made to date will be put in jeopardy if this scheme goes ahead.

"Pubwatch works tirelessly to tackle alcohol-related disorder within the city, and to site a wet house in the middle of an area that has possibly the highest number of off-licensed premises in the city along with a large number of pubs and clubs seems frankly ill thought out."

The council looked at more than a dozen sites before choosing the Genesis building, which would be converted using its own cash and money from social landlord Somer.

Wet houses have proved effective in other cities in tackling street drinking problems.