Report requested on asylum hotel

THE Chief Executive of Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council has promised a report on the Chimney Corner hotel.

Council started an enforcement investigation months ago into the legal planning status of the hotel being used to house asylum seekers.

There have been a series of protests outside the venue in recent months.

The move followed a court ruling in England, which granted a district council a temporary injunction to block asylum seekers from lodging at a hotel in Essex.

South Antrim MP Robin Swann, speaking on Wednesday, has sought clarity from the council and the Home Office, while DUP MLA Trevor Clarke had asked the council whether any change of use had been sought for the hotel to house asylum seekers.

In response, Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council said it had ‘no further comment to make at this time’.

Both local reps have discussed the case on social media prompting significant reaction - the vast majority of it openly hostile to asylum seekers being offered accommodation in the Borough.

At a full monthly council meeting last week, DUP Alderman Stephen Ross asked for an update while members were asked to approve Planning Committee meeting minutes.

“What is happening, is a report coming back, will it be in confidence or will you be telling every single member?” he asked.

Referring to a hotel in Bangor, he said: “The Marine Court is shut, will people be moved from there to Chimney Corner?”

The Chief Executive Richard Baker said that while the item was not on the agenda, ‘options exist’, including a report to the January meeting, or that discussions could be had ‘outside the chamber’.

Alderman Ross said it was his ‘only opportunity to ask’ and would ‘welcome a report in January’.