Plans to accommodate 70 asylum seekers in a former sheltered housing complex next to a medical centre have triggered a major public outcry in a Welsh village. Police were required to monitor a packed public meeting in Rhosllanerchrugog, near Wrexham, as approximately 500 concerned locals gathered to voice their opposition.
Village Fears Over Safety and NHS Priorities
The sheer volume of attendees meant the scheduled meeting at the Hafod Colliery Club had to be moved outdoors. A prominent theme of the protest was the belief that the Plas yn Rhos complex, which closed in 2016, should be repurposed to relieve pressure on the struggling NHS rather than house asylum seekers. Many residents argued it could be used as a rehabilitation unit to help with hospital bed-blocking.
Safety concerns were repeatedly raised, particularly regarding the potential for the facility to house single men. Kate Hughes, 31, who lives opposite the site, stated she would not feel safe in her own home. Eric Evans, 85, echoed the sentiment, calling the proposal "completely out of order" and emphasising the primary worry was safety. Mandy Gascoygne, 54, highlighted anxieties about children's safety, noting, "We don't know anything about these people."
Official Opposition and National Context
Wrexham Council confirmed it plans to formally object to the proposal, which it understands is for 35 units for families of up to two people. The council has opposed the Home Office on this site twice before. Wrexham's Labour MP, Andrew Ranger, clarified that the plan is being led by private asylum accommodation provider Clearsprings Ready Homes. He acknowledged the impact on local GP surgeries, schools, and infrastructure for his constituents.
This local dispute reflects a wider national issue. The government is attempting to move asylum seekers out of hotels and private rented accommodation, a system costing billions. Official figures show 36,000 asylum seekers are in hotels and around 71,000 in dispersal accommodation. The cost of contracts with providers like Clearsprings, Serco, and Mears has reportedly tripled.
Government Stance and Ongoing Tensions
A Home Office spokesperson expressed frustration at the level of illegal migration and asylum hotel use, stating, "This government will close every asylum hotel." They added that work is underway to move people into more suitable accommodation, including military bases, to ease pressure on communities.
The protest in Rhosllanerchrugog follows similar demonstrations elsewhere, including a march of 1,000 residents in Crowborough, Sussex, earlier this month against housing migrants in former barracks. In the Welsh village, a handmade banner reading 'Keep our kids safe' summarised the prevailing mood of deep-seated worry and opposition to the current plan.
