This morning I have written to Cllr Richard Blunt, Leader of NWLDC This Is NWLeics, making it clear that our local hotels should not be used to house asylum seekers.
Dear Richard,
Use of Local Hotels for Asylum Accommodation
I want to raise an issue which I know is troubling a great many people across North West Leicestershire, the suggestion that hotels in our district could be used to house asylum seekers once again.
To be clear, I believe this would be completely inappropriate. Our local hotels should remain available for their intended purpose, supporting tourism, business travel, and local families, not repurposed as temporary holding facilities. Such a move would be a misuse of local resources and would inevitably put extra strain on services already under pressure.
Over the past few months, I have heard directly from residents in Coalville and the surrounding villages who are deeply uneasy about this. Their concerns are not abstract, they worry about the practical impact on community cohesion, policing, and public services. These voices must not be ignored.
We have all seen what has happened in other parts of the country where hotels were pressed into service without proper consultation. Communities were left feeling powerless, and councils had to spend valuable time and money dealing with the consequences. I do not want to see North West Leicestershire put in that position.
I would therefore ask that, under your leadership, the District Council takes a clear and firm line: that no local hotels should be used for asylum purposes, and that if government agencies attempt to impose this, the Council will be ready to oppose it vigorously.
You will be aware of recent legal challenges in other local authority areas where councils have taken decisive action to oppose such use. I believe North West Leicestershire should be prepared to take a similarly robust approach should the government attempt to impose hotels for asylum accommodation here.
I am of course very happy to support you and your administration in making this case, and I believe the public would welcome a strong and united stance.
Best regards,
Craig Smith CC
Coalville North Division
