'Alarm' as asylum seeker unit confirmed for village

The Labour government has confirmed it is pressing ahead with plans to house asylum seekers in an empty building in a village in Cambridgeshire, despite objections.

The Home Office intends to turn Roman Court, a former sheltered housing complex in Leverington, near Wisbech, into a 26-bed unit for women and children.

The proposal sparked a large protest and a fire at the building a week later was being treated as arson.

The Home Office said concerns raised by Fenland District Council had been taken into account, but the Conservative-run council said it was "alarmed" the plans were going ahead.

A letter received by the council on Monday, from Joanne Wilkes-Waterworth, the Home Office deputy director of asylum supplier management, stated: "Having fully considered the representations received, as part of the Medium Sites governance process, alongside the wider assessment of the property, the Home Office has made the decision to proceed with the procurement of Roman Court."

In a statement, the council said the decision "demonstrates a complete disregard for the serious risks the plans pose to public safety, community cohesion and civil unrest".

"It follows weeks of significant local opposition, public protests and a fire at Roman Court which remains the subject of an ongoing police investigation," it continued.

Sam Hoy, council portfolio holder for housing, said: "We are extremely alarmed by the Home Office's decision which has been taken despite extensive evidence from the council and our partners highlighting serious concerns about the suitability of Roman Court and the risks associated with this proposal."

The Home Office said Serco, its contracted accommodation provider, would be required to complete compliance activity including security and safeguarding.

"The accommodation will not become operational until the applicable requirements have been met, with input from relevant partners sought through the appropriate channels where required," it said.

The letter concluded: "We appreciate that this may not address all of the council's concerns.

"However, I hope it provides reassurance that the representations submitted through the engagement with Fenland Council and any subsequent information provided have been carefully considered and have helped identify the areas of concern, focus and required mitigation as the site progresses.

"The safety and welfare of service users, alongside the potential impact on the local community, will remain important considerations."

Hoy added: "Our position remains unchanged. Roman Court is the wrong location for this proposal, and we remain deeply concerned about the impact on both future residents and the wider community.

"We will continue to make our objections known to the Home Office and work with our partners to ensure local concerns are heard and appropriately addressed."

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