Residents in the village of Stoke Heath, Shropshire, are expressing strong opposition to plans that would house over 80 asylum seekers in a new development of 21 homes. Villagers report they were initially informed the properties, built a year ago and standing empty, were intended for affordable housing. The shift in plans has led to feelings of being misled and has sparked local anger, with some residents referring to the development as 'Migrant Street.'
One family of asylum seekers, who moved into the development from Stockport, has already expressed a desire to leave due to the area's remoteness and reported hostility from some locals. Muhammad Nadeem, his wife Shamaila, and their four children fled Pakistan two years ago due to safety concerns. After their visa expired, they applied for asylum and were initially housed in a hotel before being relocated to Stoke Heath. The family has reported incidents of harassment, including being filmed and subjected to abuse. Private security firm Serco, contracted by the Home Office, has since increased patrols and provided the family with an alarm.
Concerns have also been raised about the isolation of the village, which is reportedly four miles from the nearest supermarket and public transport. Mr. Nadeem highlighted the logistical and financial challenges of accessing essential services, noting that a return taxi trip for groceries costs approximately £20 and that their weekly allowance of £295 for six people is largely consumed by transportation costs. He also mentioned difficulties accessing his GP due to the distance.
Local residents have voiced their frustration, with some stating that their own family members cannot afford housing in the village while new homes are being allocated to asylum seekers. The community's concerns have been amplified by a lack of transparent communication regarding the housing plans. The area's Member of Parliament, Mark Pritchard, has publicly opposed the plans, describing Stoke Heath as an isolated rural location with insufficient public services and deeming the scale and location inappropriate.
Shropshire Council has formally communicated its concerns to the Home Secretary, and the Police and Crime Commissioner for West Mercia, John-Paul Campion, has described the plan as 'wholly inappropriate,' citing the 30-minute walk to the nearest bus stop.
The government maintains that these relocations are part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on costly hotels and to disperse asylum seekers more broadly across the country. A Home Office spokesperson stated that they are working with local authorities to find sustainable accommodation solutions and deliver better value for taxpayer money. Serco confirmed it operates under the Home Office's direction regarding the placement and number of individuals accommodated in different areas.