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.
