Furious residents in Grantham, the historic market town where Margaret Thatcher was born, have voiced strong opposition to the conversion of approximately 70 properties into houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) for asylum seekers. These properties are being used to house individuals previously accommodated in hotels.
A senior official at South Kesteven District Council stated that the number of asylum seekers expected had been surpassed, with most of the newly acquired properties located in Grantham, a town with a population of under 45,000.
In response to local complaints, the council announced a temporary pause on further procurement of asylum seeker accommodation. Local representatives had expressed concerns to the government, arguing that Grantham was bearing an disproportionate burden compared to other areas in Lincolnshire.
Deputy council leader Paul Stokes confirmed that the authority was initially told to expect 300 asylum seekers but has already exceeded that number. He explained that properties in Grantham were more readily convertible for this purpose. "There was a further pipeline of properties they were looking to utilise and that has now been stopped," Stokes told the BBC, adding that the council needed to ensure any accommodation was safe and properly maintained.
The council is scheduled to vote on new regulations that would require property owners to obtain planning permission before converting homes into HMOs for up to six people, a measure already in place in North Lincolnshire.
While some residents expressed acceptance of asylum seekers living in the town, citing its diversity, others voiced concerns. One resident, who identified himself only as Steve, stated his objection was to undocumented migrants. "Our Government doesn't care about the people living here, they just let in any Tom, Dick and Harry and do absolutely nothing to stop them," he said.
Conservative councillor Matthew Bailey highlighted that South Kesteven has accepted more asylum seekers than its neighboring districts, with the majority of dispersal accommodation situated in Grantham. "Residents deserve straight answers. Many are concerned about the loss of family homes and local amenity pressures," Bailey stated, calling for transparency from the Home Office and its contractor, Serco.
Recent Home Office data indicates an increase in asylum seekers in supported accommodation in South Kesteven, rising from 215 in December to 270 in March.
Gareth Davies, the Conservative MP for Grantham and Bourne, confirmed he had raised local concerns with the government, resulting in instructions for Serco to halt the procurement of dispersed asylum accommodation in Grantham. The Home Office reiterated its commitment to moving asylum seekers out of hotels and into more suitable housing, aiming to close all asylum hotels by the end of the current parliamentary term.
