Home Office ‘in major U-turn over asylum seekers flats’ | UK | News
The Home Office has withdrawn plans to buy flats to house asylum seekers in Essex, the local council has said. Epping Forest District Council leader Chris Whitbread said residents could “breathe a sigh of relief” after migrant accommodation plans at Buckhurst Hill were allegedly withdrawn.
The Government and its contractor, Clearsprings, are no longer considering purchasing eight flats in the area, the official said. The plan has faced strong opposition from the local community, with the Conservative council leader previously writing to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, accusing him of being “deaf” to residents’ concerns.
Following the decision to withdraw the plans, Mr Whitbread said: “I wrote in disbelief when Clearsprings notified us of its intention to purchase eight flats in Buckhurst Hill to accommodate asylum seekers. “We currently host two Home Office refugee hotels in the area.
“The impact of the events of the last six months has been deeply felt across our region and has created significant challenges to social cohesion and public safety.
“Residents experienced fear and uncertainty and the pressure on local resources was severe. This withdrawal shows that Clearsprings and the Home Office listened, were reasonable and made the right decision.”
“We hope they will show similar common sense regarding the Bell Hotel and move towards closing it early.”
In the summer, thousands of people protested in Epping after Hadush Kebatu, an immigrant living at the Bell Hotel, was accused and later convicted of sexually assaulting a young girl and a woman.
Kebatu, who denied the charges against him, was sentenced to 12 months in prison and was also given a 5-year sexual harm prevention order.
He was mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford in October, sparking a two-day manhunt. He was deported to Ethiopia later that month.
The accommodation of migrants at the Bell Hotel continues to be viewed negatively by some in Epping. Earlier this month the local council lost its bid to appeal a High Court ruling that allowed it to intervene in the Home Office’s failed attempt to temporarily prevent asylum seekers from staying in the hotel.
Clearsprings and the Department of Internal Affairs have been contacted for comment.
