Janet Finch-Saunders, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy, has sent a formal letter to The Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP, Minister for Immigration, UK Government, after being notified via email on 22 March 2023 that the Home Office has identified Marl Hall, Llandudno as a site to be used to accommodate asylum seekers.
The email issued by the Deputy Director, Deputy Director of Resettlement, Asylum Support & Integration, Home Office, included the following points:
- “Our asylum system is under incredible pressure and that has forced the Home Office to consider alternative accommodation options to ensure that we meet our statutory obligation”
- “We have identified the Marl Hall… as a site to be used to accommodate asylum seekers and are therefore bringing this to your attention so that we can address any concerns you may have. Due to the demands on the system we intend to stand up this site in line with our new guidance”
- “We would like to work with Conwy County Borough Council to determine which cohort would best fit to this site and I can confirm it has a maximum bedspace of 111”.
In response to the Home Office’s intention to place as many as 111 asylum seekers in Marl Hall, Janet sent an urgent letter to the Minister for Immigration on Wednesday 22 March 2023, objecting to the use of the mansion and any other location in Aberconwy.
Speaking after issuing the letter, Janet said:
“I believe that it is reasonable to suggest that should the Home Office and the owners of Marl Hall pursue use of the venue by asylum seekers, there may be a breach of planning.
“Marl Hall was owned by Warwickshire County Council between 1971 and 2022, and operated as an outdoor learning centre. Whilst I do not know for certain the specific planning use class allocated to the property, given that it was an outdoor learning centre, I suspect that it may be classified as ‘C2 Residential institutions - Residential care homes, hospitals, nursing homes, boarding schools, residential colleges and training centres’. Arguably, should the venue be used to accommodate asylum seekers, it would require a planning application for change of use to either ‘C2A Secure Residential Institution’ or ‘hostel’.
“Alongside my concern about Planning Law, there is no denying that it is a completely inappropriate venue. It is situated in the countryside between the A470 and Marl Hall Woods.
“I am not aware of a bus service that stops near the entrance of the property, meaning, yet again, the Home Office is planning on placing vulnerable individuals in an isolated corner of Aberconwy.
“There could also be a negative impact on our tourism sector, as was highlighted to me several times when the Hilton Garden Inn was being used in Dolgarrog.
“Finally, our local GP practices are already overwhelmed, with residents struggling to make appointments, so I do not believe that our local NHS can cope with any further demand”.
ENDS
