Stradey Park Hotel: Date set for asylum seekers' arrival

Stradey Park Hotel is set to house up to 241 asylum seekers

The date has been confirmed for asylum seekers to arrive at a hotel in a move which has sparked a backlash.

Up to 241 people will be moved into Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, on 10 July, a week later than originally planned.

Concerns over suitability and lack of detail were raised by locals, with some fearing of wedding cancellations.

But the Home Office said it was necessary and those housed in the hotel would be free to come and go.

After the plan was announced, five boulders were placed at the entrance of the hotel.

There are also proposals for 400 asylum seekers to be placed at a site in Flintshire.

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Carmarthenshire council leader Darren Price said he received an update from the Home Office on Wednesday that up to 241 asylum seekers would be housed in the hotel.

They are expected to arrive in groups of 50 at the 77-room hotel, he told fellow councillors.

Mr Price said the council would not be given an update on the "demographic" of those being housed until 24 hours before they begin arriving and described the process, led by the Home Office, as "disgraceful."

He added that it was clear the Conservative government had lost complete control of the asylum process, with 160,000 individuals waiting to be processed.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We have been clear that the use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable - there are currently more than 51,000 asylum seekers in hotels costing the UK taxpayer £6 million a day.

"We engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation and work to ensure arrangements are safe for hotel residents and local people.

"We are working closely to listen to the local communities' views and reduce the impact of sites, including through providing onsite security and financial support."