Council criticises transfer of asylum seekers to empty student flats

Asylum seekers are to be moved into former student accommodation buildings at Farmer's Hall, near Aberdeen city centre

The co-leader of Aberdeen City Council has criticised a decision to move asylum seekers from hotels into empty student accommodation buildings.

Christian Allard said the local authority had not been consulted about the decision to open two former student halls at Farmer's Hall, near the city centre, and properties on Don Street.

The Home Office said it was committed to closing "all asylum hotels".

A number of protests were held last month outside hotels housing asylum seekers in the city. Demonstrations and counter demonstrations have also taken place in Perth and Falkirk.

Asylum seekers are living in a number of hotels across Scotland, including in Westhill in Aberdeenshire

The SNP councillor told BBC Scotland News he felt the decision was the "wrong move" by the Home Office and communities should have been consulted.

He said: "We've got a great tradition of welcoming refugees from Afghanistan, from the Ukraine, and from many other countries.

"We have done that very well. It's been done in a proper way by consulting with everyone around.

"We've been notified, we've not been asked, no consultation has happened with Aberdeen City Council, with the communities, with the universities, with student groups."

It is understood 300 asylum seekers from countries such as Iran, Somalia and Eritrea were being housed at the Hampton by Hilton hotel in Westhill in Aberdeenshire.

Some have now been moved into Farmer's Hall, a private accommodation building in the Rosemount area, which has 150 rooms.

Protestors gathered outside the flats on Friday and police were also in attendance.

The hotel in Westhill - with bright panels - has been used to house asylum seekers since 2023

Allard said he found it "strange" to move people "from building to building" and his biggest concern was the well-being of people living in Aberdeen.

He added: "I think there's an issue of safety, safety for everyone. For asylum seekers but for everyone, students and others.

"We've seen some protesters, more and more, coming into Aberdeen to protest."

The council co-leader said protests have left communities and asylum seekers feeling "intimidated" and "threatened", and urged people "not to participate in these gatherings."

In Aberdeen, seven people were arrested accused of inciting racial hatred in the weeks following a protest in Westhill on 2 August.

The Home Office said the council was engaged and informed throughout the process.

A spokesperson added: "We have committed to close all asylum hotels and to achieve this, we will look at a range of more appropriate sites like disused accommodation, industrial and ex-military sites so that we can reduce the impact on communities.

"We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery and more detail will be set out in due course."

Demonstrators gathered outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk

Meanwhile, dozens of protestors and counter protestors gathered outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk on Saturday.

Both groups waved saltires and other flags, and held banners with messages such as "Stop The Hate" and "Immigration Referendum".

On Tuesday, a brick was thrown through the window of the hotel which is housing asylum seekers.

Similar protests are expected to take place in Stobsmuir Park in Dundee, close to another student accommodation building where asylum seekers are staying.

And in central London tens of thousands joined a march organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, with a counter protest by anti-racism campaigners also taking place.