Opposition to housing for asylum seekers

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 26, 2026

Conwy County Borough Council has opposed the Home Office’s plan to house 12 asylum seekers in shared houses in Llandudno after assessing local conditions and community impact. The Home Office aims to phase out asylum hotels nationwide and is arranging alternative accommodations while coordinating with local authorities to reduce community disruption.

Conwy County Borough Council has expressed opposition to plans by the Home Office to accommodate asylum seekers in Llandudno. The national government agency has proposed housing 12 asylum seekers in two houses of multiple occupation (HMO)-style properties in the Welsh resort town.

The council confirmed it had been consulted on the proposals but said elected officials were restricted from publicly discussing the matter due to its sensitive nature. A council spokesperson outlined that their role is to evaluate the suitability of any residential accommodation put forward for asylum seekers, offering evidence-based advice that considers local conditions, community impact, and the well-being of current residents and potential occupants.

“Conwy County Borough Council is committed to providing support to people seeking sanctuary who have been forced to leave their homes due to conflict, persecution, violence, or humanitarian crises,” the spokesperson said. However, the council emphasised that the responsibility for providing accommodation for asylum seekers lies with the Home Office.

Following its assessment, carried out in consultation with partners and relevant officials, the council advised the Home Office that it does not support the proposal to house asylum seekers in Llandudno. The council declined to provide further details about specific accommodation arrangements secured by the Home Office.

In response, a Home Office representative stated that the government is seeking to house asylum seekers fairly across the UK and aims to close all asylum hotels by the end of the current parliamentary term. This initiative is reported to have saved taxpayers approximately £1 billion since the last general election. The Home Office added that alternative accommodation is being arranged to lessen the impact on local communities.

The government agency also indicated it would engage with local authorities and police forces as part of this process to help minimise any effects on surrounding areas. No timeline was given for the implementation of the Llandudno housing plan.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.