Police called to protest outside hotel set to house asylum seekers

Police were called to a protest outside a spa hotel which faced a legal challenge over being used to house asylum seekers.

Officers attended a protest at Stradey Park hotel in Llanelli on Sunday (9 July) after incidents "caused a disturbance" at the site.

Two people were arrested on suspicion of obstructing police after protestors prevented the recovery of a vehicle blocking the entrance to the property.

Dyfed-Powys Police said they had been released on police bail.

The protest comes after Carmarthenshire County Council lost its legal challenge to stop the hotel being used to provide accommodation to more than 200 asylum seekers on the grounds that it would breach planning rules.

The council had applied for an interim injunction against a number of associated companies and business directors behind Stradey Park hotel in Llanelli. However, a High Court judge rejected the challenge on Friday.

The legal action followed reports that "around 100" staff at the hotel had been told they faced redundancy from 10 July.

A council statement said the job losses were a "shocking development" and that it was taking measures to support hotel staff.

Cllr Darren Price, leader of Carmarthenshire County Council, said: "We are disappointed with the court's decision… however I have no regrets in bringing this case to court, as we owed this to the residents and businesses of Llanelli, the community of Ffwrnes and the staff at the Stradey Park hotel to take every step possible."

It is the latest in a series of bids by local authorities to prevent hotels being used to house asylum seekers on the grounds that it would breach planning rules.

In November, the High Court denied injunctions sought by Ipswich Borough Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council to prevent hotels in their areas being used by the Home Office's contractor Serco to house people seeking asylum.

Price added: "The council remains of the view that the UK government needs to review their policy on the use of hotels in accommodating asylum seekers. The current approach is obviously not working.

"Losing your job is distressing, let alone during a cost of living crisis, and so the council's HWB advisers will be on hand to advise those people who require financial support."