THE Home Office has defended plans to accommodate asylum seekers in a rural village after councillors and the community raised concerns.
Up to six asylum seekers would be housed in a property in the rural Dengie village of Tillingham, sparking concerns about poor public transport links and limited access to services.
Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale described the location as "fundamentally mistaken".
Meanwhile, Witham MP and former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel called the proposal “clearly unacceptable and in an inappropriate location”.
Responding to the concerns, a Home Office spokesperson told this newspaper: “We are working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country and will close every asylum hotel by the end of this Parliament – saving taxpayers £1 billion since the general election.
“We are moving asylum seekers into alternative accommodation, including former military sites, to reduce impact on local communities.
“As part of this work, we will engage with local authorities and police forces to minimise the impact on surrounding areas.”
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Concerns raised as asylum seekers could be housed in rural Essex village
The Home Office confirmed it had received a concerned a letter sent by Tillingham ward councillor Matthew Neall (Reform UK) and replied directly.
Officials said fewer than 160 asylum hotels are now in use, down from 213 in July 2024, while hotel numbers have fallen to 16,000.
The Government says five military sites are being used or considered as alternative accommodation, including MDP Wethersfield.
It comes as plans have been lodged for Wethersfield asylum centre near Braintree, a former military airfield accommodating around 800 single adult male asylum seekers, to increase its capacity to 1,245.
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