Controversial plans to house more than 200 asylum seekers at a large hotel in Llanelli are continuing to move forward despite large-scale opposition from locals - with contractors set to start work at the site as early as next week.
It was first reported in May that the 4-star Stradey Park Hotel - in the Furnace area of Llanelli - was being considered by the UK Home Office as a location to house hundreds of asylum seekers. Despite criticism from local residents and fierce opposition from Carmarthenshire Council, it was confirmed earlier this month that 207 asylum seekers would be housed in 77 rooms at the hotel. You can keep up to date with the latest Carmarthenshire news by signing up to the local newsletter here.
Despite a lack of engagement from the Home Office or the owners of the hotel - Sterling Woodrow - efforts continue to be made to stop the plans from going ahead, with an action group set up in the wake of the controversy insisting that they are “doing everything” possible to get the decision reversed. Meetings and protests have been held locally, and a petition calling for the proposal to be scrapped has already been signed by more than 4,500 people.
