Asylum seekers could be housed in rural Essex village

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 10 Nov, 11:32 · Archive

The Home Office has approved plans to house up to six asylum seekers in Tillingham, Essex, under the National Asylum Dispersal Programme.

The Home Office has reportedly approved the purchase of a property in Tillingham under the National Asylum Dispersal Programme to house up to six asylum seekers. The property is to be run by accommodation provider Clearsprings Ready Homes. Residents have launched a petition against the plan, and local councillors have expressed concern about the suitability of the location.

Maldon District Council leader Simon Morgan said: 'Such a relatively remote rural location with limited public transport and a lack of the sort of services that asylum seekers may require is not an appropriate location in which to place them.' Councillors argue that Tillingham's isolation, poor transport links, limited access to services and concerns about integration into the community make it unsuitable. Mr Morgan has written to the Home Secretary and raised the issue with Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale, Witham MP Dame Priti Patel and Essex Police chief constable Rachel Nolan.

Tillingham ward councillor Matthew Neall has also written to the Home Secretary urging the Government to reverse the decision, saying: 'Tillingham is the wrong place for this accommodation, for the people who would live there and for the village.' He warned the decision could create problems for both asylum seekers and existing residents. The council cannot block the plan but has asked the Home Office for more information and said it will continue to monitor the situation.

Asylum seekers could be housed in rural Essex village — Image: Echo (Basildon)

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How it is being reported

Concerns as asylum seekers could be housed in rural Essex villageResidents have launched a petition against plans to house asylum seekers in the rural village of Tillingham, prompting concern from councillorsEcho (Basildon) · 10 Nov, 11:00
Concerns as asylum seekers could be housed in rural Essex villageResidents have launched a petition against plans to house asylum seekers in the rural village of Tillingham, prompting concern from councillorsColchester Gazette · 10 Nov, 11:00
Concerns as asylum seekers could be housed in rural Essex villageResidents have launched a petition against plans to house asylum seekers in the rural village of Tillingham, prompting concern from councillorsBrentwood Guardian · 10 Nov, 11:00

In this story: Tillingham · Maldon District Council · Simon Morgan · Matthew Neall · Home Office · Clearsprings Ready Homes · Essex

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