Local Council
Decision day for Wisbech hotel’s bid to house asylum seekers
Fenland Council will learn today the outcome of its High Court bid to stop a Wisbech hotel housing asylum seekers.
The council is trying to block the historic Rose and Crown hotel from being used in this way and believe they have sufficient planning powers to stop it.
The council’s barrister told a High Court hearing earlier this that an injunction would prevent the hotel being turned into what he described as a “hostel for the purposes of accommodating asylum seekers”.
The barrister pointed out a number of issues that should prohibit the hotel being used for asylum seekers.
He spoke of the town’s “significant deprivation”, “organised crime” and explained that Wisbech had a “history of migrant exploitation”.
Fenland District Council filed an application for an interim injunction two weeks ago after learning that the Rose and Crown Hotel in Wisbech Market Place was being used by Serco, on behalf of the Home Office, to accommodate people seeking asylum.
The case was due to be heard at the High Court on November 15, but the hearing was adjourned until this week to permit a longer hearing.
