Asylum seekers could be housed near Maldon in new plans

The Home Office has reportedly approved the purchase of a property in Tillingham under the National Asylum Dispersal Programme, which could house up to six asylum seekers.

Councillors say Tillingham’s rural location, poor public transport and lack of services make it unsuitable for asylum accommodation.

Maldon District Council leader Simon Morgan has written to the Home Secretary to raise concerns about the plan.

He said: "Such a relatively remote rural location with limited public transport and a lack of the sort of services that asylum seekers may require is not an appropriate location in which to place them."

Mr Morgan said he had also raised the issue with Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale, Witham MP Dame Priti Patel and Essex Police chief constable Rachel Nolan.

Concerns - councillors have written to the Home Office. (Image: Newsquest)

The council cannot block the plan, but it has asked the Home Office for more information and will continue to monitor the situation, Cllr Morgan said.

Tillingham ward councillor Matthew Neall has written to the Home Secretary urging the Government to reverse the decision.

The Home Office reportedly approved asylum accommodation provider Clearsprings Ready Homes’ purchase despite concerns raised by Maldon District Council officers during consultation.

The concerns focused on the village’s isolation, poor transport, limited access to services and whether asylum seekers could integrate into the community.

In a letter to the Home Office, Mr Neall said: "I respectfully disagree with that judgement. Tillingham is the wrong place for this accommodation, for the people who would live there and for the village."

He warned the decision could create problems for asylum seekers and existing residents.

"My concern is for the safety and wellbeing of everyone involved, both the people who would be placed here and the residents of Tillingham," he said.

"This decision was taken without listening to the community or the council that knows the area."

Mr Neall has asked to meet the Home Secretary or a Home Office minister, while opponents have launched a petition calling for the decision to be reconsidered.

The petition urges the Home Office to reconsider the plans and had 831 signatures at the time of writing.

The Home Office has been approached for comment.