Northop Hall Hotel asylum seeker plans see over 900 objections logged with Flintshire Council

Over 900 objections have been lodged to Flintshire Council since plans were submitted to convert Northop Hall Hotel into a hostel for 400 asylum seekers.

The plans outline the proposed conversion of the hotel to accommodate 150 individuals within the existing building, and the addition of modular units in the car park to house a further 250 people. All of these individuals will be single adult males.

The planning application represents the next step in plans to convert the hotel to housing for asylum seekers for a period of up to seven years.

If approved, this development would result in a significant population increase of nearly 25% for Northop Hall, which currently has a population of just over 1,800.

Since the application was lodged with the council on June 12, around 500 residents have submitted objections to the plans while 408 objection letters were handed into Flintshire Council’s planning department at St David’s Park in Ewloe.

These objections follow 700 which were submitted during the pre-planning public consultation process earlier this year.

Local politicians have submitted objection letters to the council over the plans. Alyn and Deeside MS Jack Sargeant (Lab) and MP Mark Tami (Lab) raised concerns over the potential economic impact, as well as the lack of local amenities for potential residents.

They argue Flintshire has a deficiency in hotel accommodations and converting the site from a hotel into a hostel would have significant implications for future economic growth.

Their letter also raises concerns about the lack of accessibility to key services, such as public transportation, GPs, dentists, language provision, other wellbeing support, and essential shops, which would significantly affect the well-being of future residents.

North Wales MS Sam Rowlands (Con) is strongly opposed to the development. He said he was “astonished by such an inappropriate proposal,” noting the plan to house over 400 people in a space with less than 40 rooms would negatively impact the well-being of nearby residents and businesses.

Mr Rowlands argues the development breaches several policies of Flintshire County Council’s Local Development Plan, including those related to sustainable development and preserving tourist accommodation for holiday use.

He also noted that Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board raised concerns over the lack of necessary medical services and facilities for such a diverse population locally.

Northop Hall Hotel, which comprises 37 bedrooms and is situated amidst nine acres of private woodland and secluded gardens, ceased operations prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was purchased by Na’ím Anís Paymán, a serial entrepreneur and founder of Paymán Investments.

Paymán intended to refurbish the hotel and reopen it in late 2022 as a wedding and events venue, aiming to revitalise it into a community hub, but this never happened.

ClearSprings Ready Homes (CRH), the company awarded the £334 million, 10-year Home Office Asylum Accommodation and Support Contract for Wales, is set to operate the proposed accommodation if plans are given the go-ahead.

A design and access statement submitted with the planning documents states the hotel will in essence be converted into a hostel.

“The use of hostels avoids the need to use operational hotels, provides dedicated on-site staff and support, a high ratio of welfare, quality living, communal and external spaces, TV, WiFi, 24 hr snack and beverages.

“Food would be centrally prepared and consumed around fellow service users providing a human experience.”

“Ratios of staff, levels of safeguarding, scrutiny, security (including the use of body cams and proof of presence security technology) would be high,” the design and access statement says.

According to the planning submission, single adult males have the lowest impact on community infrastructure, as they do not require schooling or access to certain health services.

A group of residents from the village have formed an action group opposing the plans. Northop Hall Village Action will be at Connah’s Quay Town Council building on Tuesday 11 July where they will be holding an information event between 2pm and 7pm.

People can view and comment on the plans here: https://planning.agileapplications.co.uk/flintshire/application-details/67258. ‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌​