Villagers angry over plans to move asylum seekers into new housing development

Alec Doyle – Local democracy reporter

Residents in a north Wales village say they are concerned about Home Office plans to use a new housing development to accommodate migrants awaiting asylum decisions.

Earlier this week residents of Gronant in Flintshire contacted Llanasa and Trelawnyd councillor Glyn Banks after discovering that the former Gronant Institute – which has been transformed into a 15-home development – was under consideration to be leased to Clear Springs Ready Homes.

Clear Springs is the company used by the Home Office to provide housing for individuals and families seeking asylum in the UK.

Typically those placed in these properties are waiting to see if their claim for asylum – fleeing from violence or persecution in their home country – is granted.

During that time they are in limbo and have no right to work in the UK.

After learning about the plans, Cllr Banks made some inquiries with Flintshire County Council’s Liaison Officer and confirmed the plans were going ahead before publicising the news in a Facebook post.

He confirmed that 13 of the 15 properties at the former institute were earmarked for asylum accommodation through Clear Springs.

He said neither himself nor fellow ward councillor Gina Madison had been consulted on the proposal or had any prior knowledge.

“I’m 100% behind the residents in Gronant in trying to stop this happening,” he said.

“The community would have welcomed one or two families, they understand that people need help and support. Recently some families were given refuge in Mostyn and there were no issues because it was proportional.

“But 13 out of 15 homes on the site is too many. Nearby residents have put up with a lot during the redevelopment of the Gronant Institute site. Now the homes are built they come asking whether their grown-up children could rent them and are told no?

“There’s no consultation and too much secrecy. That’s why people lose faith in the system.”

Residents said they were concerned about the impact on the community of large groups staying for short periods and the pressure on the village’s stretched amenities.

Concerns

Community Cllr Jo Gillmore said many people in the village had expressed concerns since the plans were uncovered.

“There are concerns about centralising a large group of people – who may change in a short space of time – in a significant area of a small village,” she said.

“It will put pressure on local amenities. We’ve already got a doctor’s surgery trying to reduce the number of patients it serves because it’s got too many.

“But asylum seekers are going to need local amenities too aren’t they. If this was a big city or urban area it would perhaps make more sense.

“While they’re waiting for their claims to be decided they can’t work so they have nothing to do, which means they are left to just hang around all day. But where can they hang around in Gronant? There’s nowhere to go.”

She said it is an issue about “the suitability of housing transient populations in a small village”, adding: “I just don’t see how it’s going to work safely.”

According to Cllr Banks there are plans to arrange a public meeting for the community to have its say.

A Flintshire County Council spokesperson said: “As part of the UK Government’s national asylum dispersal scheme, the Home Office is procuring accommodation in Flintshire and across the UK to meet the needs of individuals and families seeking asylum.

“This UK Government initiative is being delivered by the Home Office, with the council required to support the process through local coordination and service planning.

“This accommodation will support a group of families who have arrived in the UK seeking safety and protection. These people are currently awaiting decisions on their asylum claims in accordance with UK and international law. They are not illegal immigrants; they are individuals exercising their legal right to claim asylum and deserve to be treated with compassion and respect.

“Funding to support these placements, including education and healthcare provision, is being provided by the UK Government through dedicated asylum dispersal funding mechanisms.

“Flintshire County Council will remain in regular contact with the Home Office, procurement partners, and other relevant agencies.”

Approval

Residents have already taken their concerns directly to the Government.

Labour MP for Clwyd East Becky Gittins said: “I am aware that the former Gronant Institute has been approved for use to accommodate families seeking asylum.

“I understand that this has prompted concern in the local community, and I appreciate why people have questions. I am in contact with the Home Office, Flintshire County Council, local councillors and other relevant agencies to ensure the concerns of local people are understood and addressed.

“I will keep residents updated as more information becomes available.”

Cristiana Emsley, Member of the Senedd for Fflint Wrecsam, said the people of Gronant deserved proper consultation before these plans were made.

“People in Gronant feel this has been decided behind closed doors,” she said. “They weren’t properly consulted, and now they’re being expected simply to accept it. That isn’t how Government should treat people.

“If a decision will impact a community, you speak to the people who live there first. You don’t wait until it’s effectively a done deal and then tell them what is happening. The Home Office needs to explain why that didn’t happen here.

“Residents in Gronant are worried. They are asking perfectly reasonable questions about safety, integration and what this will mean for their community. Those concerns shouldn’t be dismissed or brushed aside simply because they are uncomfortable for politicians to hear.

“Welsh Government can call Wales a ‘Nation of Sanctuary’, but Wales needs to be a sanctuary for the people who live here first. That means putting the safety and wellbeing of our communities first and listening when local people have genuine concerns.

“The people in Gronant do not want this imposed on their community, and I will do everything I can to ensure the Home Office listens.”

Clear Springs Ready Homes and developer EMW Developments were approached for comment.

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