Title

PLANNING

Blackpool threatens action over asylum hotel plans

Blackpool Council has warned planning permission will be required to use a hotel to house hundreds of asylum seekers.

Blackpool Council has warned planning permission will be required to use a hotel to house hundreds of asylum seekers.

The council said it had 'serious concerns' over Home Office plans to relocate 220 asylum seekers in the heart of Blackpool.

It said no consultation with public services had been carried out and questioned the suitability of housing vulnerable people in a tourist location.

The council has warned Britannia Hotels will need planning permission for change of use if it uses the hotel to house asylum seekers. 

Council leader, Cllr Lynn Williams, said: 'We stand by our assertion that the Home Office has failed to satisfy any of the grave concerns raised by local services, including the council, NHS, police, fire service and public health officials.

'Collectively, we have requested answers to a number of questions relating to suitability of location, the timing of this placement and the need for a thorough risk assessment, particularly in terms of the potential impact on these vulnerable and traumatised people.

'None of those questions have been answered to date and there is growing dismay over the way in which this situation has been handled.'

A Home Office spokesperson said: 'These claims are incorrect.

'The Home Office wrote to the chief executive of Blackpool Council and the local MPs on the planned use of the Metropole hotel on 25 August.

'The council replied to us on 27 August and we submitted a written response yesterday.

'The Home Office has also met with local stakeholders such as police and public health providers, as well as officers from the local authority.

'All the hotels the Home Office uses must meet relevant health and safety legislation, and provide their latest health and safety risk assessment.'

PLANNING

South Kesteven in clash with ombudsman

By Martin Ford | 02 April 2026

South Kesteven DC is facing further action from a watchdog for refusing to compensate a homeless man after failing to properly support him.

PLANNING

Government silence on planning fees control timeline

By Dan Peters | 02 April 2026

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has refused to indicate when councils will be enabled to fix their own planning fees.

PLANNING

Legal threat looms as counties oppose Whitehall LGR ruling

By Paul Marinko | 02 April 2026

Disgruntled county councils could slow down local government reorganisation with legal challenges to Whitehall’s verdict.

PLANNING

A North Star guiding tough decision making

By Cllr Caroline Woodley | 02 April 2026

By embedding an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory mindset into commissioning, procurement, and service planning, Hackney LBC is helping ensure every penny ...

Popular articles by Laura Sharman