Stafford MP Theo Clarke has again lodged her objections to asylum seekers being housed at Beaconside ahead of a planning appeal by Serco this week.
Ms Clarke met with the Home Office’s Asylum Engagement Team where it was put on record her “formal opposition in the strongest terms to the proposed site”.
The Planning Inspectorate starts to hear Serco’s appeal tomorrow (Tuesday 16th May) to house 500 asylum seekers at the former student accommodation following refusal by Stafford Borough Council last year.
The MP has met with the Home Secretary Suella Braverman and the Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick in the last few months to explain the site is inappropriate for a market town and there are not the services to cope with such a large number.
She has also formally written to the Planning Inspectorate to oppose the plan.
In that letter she said: “I am keen that Stafford plays its part in housing asylum seekers, and I know that our communities are ready to welcome them.
“However…The Planning Committee of Stafford Borough Council back in July last year raised concerns around the sheer volume of people being housed in such a concentrated area, with a shortage of support services locally and the additional pressure that this concentration and massing of people would have on already stretched services, particularly the health service, education, police, and other support services.
“Stafford borough remains against the use of accommodation in this concentrated way and feel that our agreed migration number of 137 for the whole Borough could be better accommodated through working with the local council and housing in smaller placements.”
Speaking today, Mrs Clarke added: “The Borough Council was right to refuse permission for asylum seeker accommodation at Beaconside last summer and the circumstances have not changed since then.
“It remains a wholly inappropriate place to house hundreds of asylum seekers. I oppose its use, as do many local residents, and I urge the Planning Inspectorate to refuse Serco’s appeal.”
