Council threatens temporary stop notice over Home Office asylum hotel plans

The enforcement notice issued for the Park Hotel in the market town of Diss requires the owner to submit a planning application to regularise the change of use of the building from a hotel to asylum accommodation.

When dealing with the planning application the council will have the ability, if required, to specify that the use of the hotel is limited to accommodating families seeking asylum only.

The council warned that it would serve a Temporary Stop Notice on the hotel owner if the Home Office replaces the families.

According to the council, the owner has previously said he is willing to close the hotel if the Home Office continues with its plans.

Leader of South Norfolk Council, Daniel Elmer said: "We have been clear from the start that we will not accept a change from accommodating families to single asylum seekers. Two years ago the Home Office informed us that the Park Hotel would be used to house families and we believe that Home Office should stick to that position.

"We are continuing to work closely with the police and our partners and If the Home office continues with its plan then we will use all options open to us, including planning powers to support both the families living in the hotel and the local community."

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The government is reducing expensive hotel use as part of a complete overhaul of the asylum system.

“From over 400 asylum hotels open in summer 2023, costing almost £9 million a day, there are now less than 210, and we want them all closed by the end of this Parliament. 

“We will continue to work closely with community partners across the country, and discuss any concerns they have, as we look to fix this broken system together. The security of the local communities within which hotels are located will always be our paramount concern.”

Adam Carey