London council eyed Shropshire village for homeless families

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 19:55 · Archive

Enfield Council is seeking to rent properties in a Shropshire village for homeless families, months after plans to house asylum seekers there were scrapped.

Shropshire Council has raised concerns about Enfield Council's intention to rent properties on Dutton Close in Stoke Heath to homeless families. The move follows the scrapping of plans in July to house up to 83 asylum seekers in new-build homes on the estate, which met with strong local opposition from residents who said the site was unsuitable.

Shropshire Council said it has written to Enfield Council to formally record significant concerns about the proposals. Local MP Mark Pritchard has vowed to oppose the plans, describing Stoke Heath as a rural, isolated area with insufficient support services. He stated: 'I think it is wrong that people from a London borough are relocated from an urban area into a very, very rural area where there aren't support services. It's not only wrong for the local residents; it's actually wrong for the people who are going to be relocated. Some of them may never have even visited Shropshire before, let alone lived in Shropshire.'

Pritchard added that housing legislation requires all local authorities to attempt housing people within their own areas and that all accommodation must be suitable. The BBC has approached Enfield Council for a response but none has been provided.

How it is being reported

• London council 'wants to use Stoke Heath homes for people on housing waiting list'The move comes after a failed attempt to house asylum seekers in the propertiesShropshire Star · 8 Oct, 19:30
• London council eyes asylum-row village for homelessShropshire Council says Enfield Council is looking to rent houses in Stoke Heath to homeless families.BBC Shropshire · 8 Oct, 17:21

In this story: Shropshire Council · Enfield Council · Stoke Heath · Mark Pritchard · London

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