Home Office scraps town's asylum seeker housing plans

Staffordshire University announced the accommodation would close in 2014

Plans to house asylum seekers in former student halls in Stafford have been scrapped after years of controversy.

More than 250 people objected to the original plans to house 481 asylum seekers in the former Staffordshire University accommodation.

Serco, which manages housing for the Home Office, had argued that there was a need for such accommodation but has now withdrawn its proposals.

Now, the Beaconside Group has announced plans to turn the site in Weston Road into 132 luxury apartments.

The firm says a mixture of one and two bedroom apartments will be available to rent from 2026 but plans have not officially been lodged with the council.

Residents 'delighted'

The plans by Serco were initially refused by Stafford Borough Council but the Planning Inspectorate ruled in 2023 that it could go ahead with the proposals.

Since then, the site has remained empty.

Conservative councillor Frances Beatty, who has campaigned on the issue, said residents were “delighted” the plans had changed.

She said: “This is a hot issue in the local community.

“It’s very good news for the residents, it was a wholly inappropriate site.

“There has been endless worry. People were worried enough to think about moving house and the possible impact of far right groups.

“There was a lot of dissent and shouting during the original planning application which was unpleasant enough.

“I have absolutely no doubt that the government will still want the local authority to provide accommodation for immigrants and, as a council, I have the fear that we will have to find new housing.”

Leigh Ingham, Labour MP for Stafford, said she welcomed the decision.

She said it "brings clarity to local residents and the wider community".

A Stafford Borough Council spokesperson said: "We have now received notification from the home office that Serco have withdrawn their proposals for the use of the Beaconside site as a centre for asylum seekers.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The Home Office continually reviews the appropriateness of different sites for use as asylum accommodation.

“We remain committed to engaging with local authorities and key stakeholders as part of this process.”