Laura Sharman 09 November 2022

Two more councils seek injunctions over use of hotels to house asylum seekers

Two more councils seek injunctions over use of hotels to house asylum seekers image
Image: Jo Turner / Geograph.org.uk

Two more councils have taken legal action to stop local hotels from being used to house asylum seekers.

Fenland District Council has filed an application for an interim injunction after learning the Rose and Crown Hotel in Wisbech Market Place had secured a Home Office contract to accommodate people seeking asylum.

The council is arguing that not only is the hotel 'wholly unsuitable' to house vulnerable people, but the change in use is also a breach of planning law.

Cllr Chris Boden, council leader, said: 'We are in a rural location, with very limited hotel accommodation and transport links, and we already have significant issues with migrant exploitation and human trafficking, which would put any people placed here at risk.'

North Northamptonshire Council has also made an application to the High Court for an interim injunction to prevent the Royal Hotel in Kettering being used to house asylum seekers.

'The council has previously offered to have discussions with the Home Office to help identify suitable hotels in the area and we welcome any information they can provide that will allow us to locate suitable alternative accommodation,' said Cllr Jason Smithers, council leader.

'We do not feel that the Royal Hotel in Kettering is the appropriate place to accommodate asylum seekers for a number of reasons.'

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