Llanelli's Stradey Park Hotel will no longer house asylum seekers, Carmarthenshire Council says

In a statement, the council said it is "pleased" with the decision. Credit: PA Images

The Home Office has U-turned on its decision to house asylum seekers at Stradey Park Hotel in Llanelli, according to Carmarthenshire County Council.

The local authority said it had received written confirmation from the Home Office of its decision to withdraw the plan.

In a statement, the council said it is "pleased" with the decision.

The council said its chief executive and leader wrote to Home Office ministers and senior civil servants last week.

They outlined "their concerns" about "escalating community tensions" and they urged the UK Government "to withdraw from the site".

Locals have gathered in recent weeks and months in protest. Credit: PA Images

Leader Cllr. Darren Price said: “Now is the time for the community of Llanelli to come together, to heal from the experience of the past few months.

“On the issue of providing sanctuary to people in desperate need, I will reiterate Carmarthenshire County Council’s desire to continue to welcome our share of asylum seekers from countries such as Ukraine, Afghanistan and Syria to our county via the dispersal model which has worked successfully in Carmarthenshire for many years.”

Ms Griffith said the Home Office has "finally listened to the people of Llanelli who knew that it was the wrong decision all along". Credit: PA Images

Dame Nia Griffith MP said she was "pleased" and welcomed the decision.

"This debacle has seen the hollowing out of a key landmark hotel in the area with the loss of almost 100 jobs.

"It has created divisions within local communities and taken up valuable resources from our public services at a time when they were already stretched.

"We now need to move forward and bring our town together once more.”

Credit: X

Lee Waters MS posted on X, formerly Twitter, saying: "I'm glad the Home Office have finally seen sense and have realised their plans for Stradey were unworkable and wrong-headed.

"But what a mess they have created, and now leave behind."

ITV News has contacted the Home Office for comment.

Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know…