The government is considering housing as many as 1,800 asylum seekers on a vessel moored off the Wirral, the ECHO understands.
Local politicians and charities have raised concerns about the plans, which would form part of the government's highly controversial new policy for placing newly arrived migrants on barges, cruise ships, disused ferries and military bases and other vessels that have been described by some as 'floating prisons.'
The ECHO understands that any such boat could be moored on water in Birkenhead, close to Wirral Waters - which is a £4.5bn waterfront development currently being built by the Peel Group. Peel Ports owns and operates the waters and port infrastructure in the Birkenhead area and says it will only go ahead with the plans with full engagement with the local authority.
