Government confirms plan to house asylum seekers at Leverington

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 3 Nov, 18:46 · Archive

The Home Office has confirmed it will proceed with plans to use Roman Court in Leverington, Cambridgeshire, to house asylum-seeking mothers and babies.

The Home Office has confirmed it will proceed with converting Roman Court, a former sheltered living complex in Leverington near Wisbech, into accommodation for asylum seekers. The site will house mothers and babies as part of government efforts to move asylum seekers out of hotels and into longer-term housing.

The announcement comes less than two weeks after a fire destroyed a disused building at the site. Police are investigating the incident as arson. The fire represents a significant escalation in local opposition to the proposals, which have already prompted public protests in the village.

Fenland District Council has strongly objected to the decision. Councillor Sam Hoy, the council's portfolio holder for housing, said the Home Office's choice to proceed "demonstrates a complete disregard for the serious risks the plans pose to public safety, community cohesion and civil unrest." The council says the decision is particularly troubling because it comes while significant local tensions remain high, and the council remains "deeply concerned about the impact on both future residents and the wider community."

The Home Office said in its letter to the council that Serco, the contracted accommodation provider, must complete mobilisation and compliance activities before the site becomes operational. It stated the accommodation will not open until safeguarding, welfare, security, fire safety and operational requirements are met, with input from relevant partners sought through appropriate channels.

The Home Office acknowledged that its response "may not address" all concerns raised by the council, but said it hoped the letter provided reassurance that representations had been carefully considered. The government emphasised that the safety and welfare of residents and potential impact on the local community will remain important considerations as the site progresses.

How it is being reported

• Alarm voiced at government moves to use former sheltered housing complex near Wisbech as accommodation for asylum seekersConcerns have been voiced at government plans to use a former sheltered housing complex near Wisbech as accommodation for asylum seekers.Peterborough Telegraph · 3 Nov, 12:29
• Update on Wisbech building that could become asylum seeker accommodationThe council and local residents previously argued that the accommodation was 'not suitable'Cambridgeshire Live · 3 Nov, 12:00
• Government to proceed with plans for asylum seeker housing in villageThe government has confirmed it intends to proceed with plans to use Roman Court, in Leverington, near Wisbech, to house asylum seekers.Cambs Times · 2 Nov, 20:33
• Government to proceed with plans for asylum seeker housing in villageThe government has confirmed it intends to proceed with plans to use Roman Court, in Leverington, near Wisbech, to house asylum seekers.Ely Standard · 2 Nov, 20:33

In this story: Home Office · Fenland District Council · Roman Court · Leverington · Wisbech · Serco · Sam Hoy

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log