Carmarthenshire County Council launches legal proceedings over hotel due to house asylum seekers
Last week, staff were told they would be made redundant. The Home Office has previously confirmed the hotel in Llanelli is set to house a maximum of 207 people, made up of family groups.
Tuesday 4 July 2023 20:39, UK
A council has started legal proceedings against the owners of a hotel which is due to house asylum seekers.
Carmarthenshire County Council announced on Tuesday that it was taking action over the material change of use of Llanelli's Stradey Park Hotel & Spa without planning permission.
Last week, staff at the hotel were told they would be made redundant which was met with "silence" and "shock".
The Home Office confirmed at the beginning of June that a maximum of 207 people, made up of family groups, will be accommodated across 77 rooms at the hotel.
The council leader, Cllr Darren Price, said in a statement that it had "commenced legal proceedings".
"Carmarthenshire County Council have commenced legal proceedings against Gryphon Leisure Limited, Sterling Woodrow Limited, Clearsprings Ready Homes Limited, Robert Horwood and Gareth Street regarding the material change of use without planning permission of the Stradey Park Hotel, Llanelli," he said.
"The case has been listed for a hearing on 7 July at the High Court at the Royal Courts of Justice, Strand, London.
"The council is unable to make further comment at this time due to the need to respect the legal process that is under way."
The Home Office has previously called the use of hotels to house asylum seekers "unacceptable" and has explored a number of ways to house asylum seekers, including a controversial barge to be moored off the Dorset coast.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak made a pledge to "stop the boats" when he asked the British public to judge him on a number of promises.
Figures released last month show Channel crossings are still on the rise.
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Sky News has approached Clearsprings Ready Homes Limited and the directors of Sterling Woodrow Limited and Gryphon Leisure Limited for a response.