Westminster City Council stands accused of a major breach of planning regulations after rubber-stamping controversial proposals to house migrants in a central London hotel without obtaining lawful permission.
The contentious scheme centred on the Page 8 hotel in Page Street, where developers sought to add additional rooms specifically for housing asylum seekers. Despite fierce local opposition, the council's planning department gave the green light to the project.
Planning Inspector Delivers Damning Verdict
The decision has now been ripped apart by a government planning inspector, who delivered a blistering assessment declaring the approval "unlawful." The inspector found that the council fundamentally misinterpreted planning rules, allowing the hotel to proceed without the necessary change-of-use permission required for such significant alterations.
"This wasn't just an error in judgment," stated a planning expert familiar with the case. "This represents a complete failure of due process. The council effectively bypassed proper scrutiny that would have given local residents a voice."
Local Residents Feel Betrayed
The revelation has sparked fury among Westminster residents, who argue they were deliberately kept in the dark about the true nature of the development. Many claim the council prioritised political objectives over proper democratic process.
"We've been completely sidelined," said one local business owner. "The council knows there would have been massive opposition if they'd followed the proper channels. This underhand approach shows contempt for local people."
Council Faces Mounting Pressure
The unlawful decision places Westminster Council in an increasingly precarious position. With the planning inspector's ruling, the authority now faces potential legal challenges and renewed scrutiny over its handling of migrant housing arrangements.
Critics argue the case reveals a disturbing pattern of councils bending planning rules to accommodate government immigration policies. "This isn't just about one hotel," commented a local community representative. "It's about whether councils are ignoring their legal responsibilities to meet political targets."
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is now monitoring the situation closely as pressure mounts on Westminster Council to explain how such a significant planning failure occurred.
