Carmarthenshire Council's bid to block a controversial plan for a four-star spa hotel to house more than 200 asylum seekers from next week has failed. 241 asylum seekers are due to arrive at Stradey Park Hotel in the Furnace area of Llanelli from Monday under proposals spearheaded by the UK Home Office.
Despite widespread criticism from members of the local community, politicians and Carmarthenshire Council, the Home Office and the hotel's owners have pushed ahead with the plans, leading to a number of protests and the creation of a community action group. Almost 100 staff at the hotel have been told they face redundancy as part of the move, something which Llanelli MP Nia Griffith called "outrageous". You can keep up to date with the latest Carmarthenshire news by signing up to the local newsletter here.
Earlier this week, Carmarthenshire Council announced their intention to take legal action in a last-ditch attempt to stop the plans. The case was heard at the High Court in London on Friday but the council's application for an interim injunction for what they claim is the "proposed material change of use without planning permission" of the hotel was unsuccessful. Deputy High Court Judge Mansfield KC is due to publish his reasons for the refusal on Monday.
The council's leader Darren Price said on Friday evening: “We are disappointed with the court’s decision today, however I have no regrets in bringing this case to court, as we owed this to the residents and businesses of Llanelli, the community of Ffwrnes and the staff at the Stradey Park Hotel to take every step possible.
"That having been said, the council needs to consider fully the reasons given by the Judge on Monday and, in the context of its application for a permanent injunction, further comment on the litigation would not be appropriate at this stage. The council remains of the view that the UK Government needs to review their policy on the use of hotels in accommodating asylum seekers. The current approach is obviously not working.
"The council is fully committed to supporting the staff of the Stradey Park Hotel through this difficult period. Through Communities for Work and Workways+ projects, the council will help these individuals with job-seeking advice and guidance; along with employment support which includes training and updating of CVs as required.
“Our employability team are also organising a jobs fair for the staff to help them with seeking alternative employment and will bring various industries into the fair and will work with partner organisations, including Careers Wales and Job Centre Plus to provide information that individuals may require. Losing your job is distressing, let alone during a cost-of-living crisis, and so the council's HWB advisers will be on hand to advise those people who require financial support.”
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