Mark Whitehead 09 May 2023

Welsh village opposes plans to house refugees in hotel

Welsh village opposes plans to house refugees in hotel image
Image: David Calvert / Shutterstock.com.

Villagers in Wales have vowed to fight plans for 400 asylum seekers to be lodged in a former hotel.

A protest group formed in Northop, Flintshire, says it is the ‘wrong plan in the wrong place’.

A company is consulting over the plans and is expected to make a formal planning application to Flintshire council.

The website outlining the project says about 250 single men would be housed in temporary units in the hotel cark park with another 150 in the existing 37-bedroom building.

Chairman of Northop Hall Community Council John Gollege said he was in ‘total shock’ when he heard about the plans for the village, which has a population of about 1,500 people.

He said: ‘400 single males will increase the total population of the village by 25%. I can't believe there will not be a drain on community facilities which are already over extended.’

The Home Office said it would ‘work closely with councils and key partners to manage the impact’.

It added: ‘We understand the concerns of local communities and will work closely with councils and key partners to manage the impact of using these sites, including liaising with local police to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place.’

Black hole spending review image

Black hole spending review

Jonathan Werran, chief executive of Localis, reflects on what the Spending Review means for local government.
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