Council mulls enforcement against hotel for housing asylum seekers without correct planning permission

Great Yarmouth Borough Council is considering launching planning enforcement against a hotel that began housing asylum seekers without seeking planning permission beforehand.

The local authority said it has received no change of use planning application from the hotel to date and that it holds "serious concerns" about the suitability of the hotel for asylum seekers.

According to the council, it has only recently become aware that asylum seekers have been placed at the hotel.

In a statement, a council spokesperson said: "We have serious concerns about the suitability of this accommodation for asylum seekers, and the hotel should have applied for the correct planning permission before any asylum seekers were housed.

"No application for change of use has been received to date and the council will pursue appropriate enforcement action where necessary."

"We are therefore opposed to the way this situation has arisen and the lack of dialogue with ourselves and other stakeholders in the town. We have clearly communicated our views and concerns to both the hotel owner and the Home Office."

The council said it was also concerned about placing further strain on core services.

The local authority added: "Despite our severe reservations as to the approach adopted, the council will provide humanitarian support where necessary, working with our strategic and community partners." 

When asked about the situation, a Home Office spokesperson said: "We are dealing with an unprecedented increase in asylum cases but despite this we continue to ensure that the accommodation provided is safe, secure and leaves no one destitute.

"The Home Office does not comment on operational arrangements for individual hotels."

According to the Home Office, Government policy allows asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute to obtain support, which may include accommodation, whilst their asylum claims are being assessed.

As part of this, accommodation providers, in consultation with local authorities, are responsible for identifying suitable temporary accommodation that can be used for this purpose.

Historically providers have been allowed to use contingency accommodation (hotels) during peaks in demand, the Home Office noted.

The hotel has been approached for comment.

Adam Carey