TWO Flintshire politicians have penned a letter to the council opposing plans to accomodate asylum seekers in a hotel. 

A planning application was submitted earlier this month to house aslyum seekers at the Northop Hall Country House Hotel. 

The proposal would see 400 single men housed there at any one time over a seven-year period. 

Approximately 250 people would be accommodated in modular temporary units which would be removed from site at the end of the period. Some 150 would be accommodated within the existing building. Use of the site as a hotel would resume at the end of the temporary permission.  

The Leader: What the modular accomodation blocks would look like.What the modular accomodation blocks would look like. (Image: Planning documents)

Northop Hall is home to roughly 1,500 people - meaning its population could rise by over a quarter. 

And two of Alyn & Deeside's Labour politicians, Mark Tami MP and Senedd Member Jack Sargeant, have joined growing local opposition to the plans. 

The pair have jointly signed a letter sent to Flintshire Council calling on the authority to reject the proposal. 

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It states: "Northop Hall is a small village with very limited public transport links. The lack of availability of such links would mean that it would be even more difficult for the intended users to access services they will require. 

"As well as specific services for asylum seekers, they would struggle to access more general services including GPs, dentists, language provision other well-being support and even shops. 

"Finally, draw your attention to the nature of hotel accomodation which is specifically designed with short stays in mind. It is not suitable for long-term accomodation. We both urge you to refuse approval on this occasion."

A planning statement submitted as part of the application says: "The proposed temporary change of use is considered to comply with an up-to-date Development Plan. It is therefore considered that there are no policy grounds or material considerations which should prevent a temporary planning permission being issued."

The Leader: The proposed site layout. The proposed site layout. (Image: Planning documents)

The application states that single adult males have the lowest impact on community infrastructure, as they do not require schooling or access to certain health services. ‌ ​ ‌ ‌ ‌ ​ ‌ ‌ ‍ ‌ ​ ‌ ‌ ‌ ​ ‌ ​ ‍ ‌ ​ ‌ ‌ ‌ ​ ‌ ​

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board submitted a report as part of the application which seeks "to understand and gain assurance" that the developer has given "due consideration" and can provide assurance that the scheme will enable the "sustainable delivery of healthcare services" to the housed asylum seekers, and the local and wider communities of Flintshire.

The report states: "In addition, the Health Board seeks assurance that Payman Holdings 3 Ltd, the Home Office and Clearsprings Ready Homes have fully engaged with the Welsh Government and Public Health Wales in identifying the site and being supportive of its use.

"Drawing on the Health Boards' lived experience of supporting asylum seekers in Dolgarrog (Conwy), the level of healthcare need and intervention of recent arrival to the UK is significant and required access to primary, secondary and mental health provision.

"The Health Protection needs to ensure the asylum seekers being accommodated and the local and wider populations are kept safe from prevention of services being overwhelmed and infectious disease create some of the biggest challenges for not just BCUHB, but Wales overall."