QUEENS HOTEL HOUSING 600 ASYLUM SEEKERS – MP DEMANDS MEETING OVER HOME OFFICE ACTIONS
THE QUEENS HOTEL is being used to house 600 asylum seekers placed there by the Home Office – which failed to consult local representatives or the local community before doing so.
Now, in the wake of “numerous” complaints from local residents about “noise, intimidation and anti-social behaviour” Croydon North MP Steve Reed, whose constituency includes the hotel, is demanding a meeting with the Home Office minister for security and immigration James Brokenshire MP.
In a letter to Mr Brokenshire, Steve Reed says one of the hotel buildings had 500 people sleepiong in it – while another with an HMO (house in multiple occupancy) licence to accommodate 68 people had ONE HUNDRED people living there.
“This is a clear breach of the hotel’s HMO licence. “The inspectors (Croydon council enforcement officers) also found more than four people living in en suite rooms and one room being occupied by as many as nine people.”
He has asked Mr Brokenshire to meet with himself and Jim Dowd MP (Lab, Lewisham West and Penge) – whose constituency includes the Bromley borough part of Church Road “whose constituents also have a direct interest in the matter.”
In a statement on his website Steve Reed added: “I am furious that the Home Office didn’t consult either the local community or elected representative about plans to house over 600 asylum seekers in the area.
“The hotel is on the edge of a small but thriving shopping centre in a highly residential area. “It seems highly inappropriate to place so many asylum seekers in an area like this without warning or preparation.
“I am worried about the safety of the people living in the hotel, the sudden conversion of the hotel into a B&B hostel without consultation, and the impact of an extra 600 people suddenly arriving in the neighbourhood.”
– See more at: http://www.stevereedmp.co.uk/steve-demands-action-over-queens-hotel/#sthash.zW8wTnS8.dpuf
UPDATE
A Croydon council spokesman told News From Crystal Palace: “We can confirm our enforcement officers have visited Queen’s hotel and received assurance that the occupancy of the rear building will be reduced to 68 to comply with its licence.
“The occupancy of the main building will also be reduced to no more than four unrelated people sharing one room.
“We are satisfied that the accommodation will be adequate once these issues are resolved.
“We will be following up with weekly visits to ensure the management of the building is to a good standard, while it is being used in this manner.”
