Plan to put asylum seekers in fancy flats CANCELLED after Suella Braverman told the council to do this instead

The Home Office has scrapped plans to house asylum seekers in Wates House, Fareham, following months of opposition from local authorities and Conservative MP Suella Braverman.

The decision marks a victory for campaigners who argued the luxury 27-flat development was unsuitable for asylum accommodation. 

Fareham Borough Council confirmed the government had withdrawn its interest in the property. Council leader Simon Martin expressed relief, stating they had worked “quietly in the background through the correct channels” to achieve this outcome.

The controversy had drawn strong local opposition, with concerns raised about pressure on public services, community cohesion and public safety. 

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, led the campaign against the proposals. She launched a petition signed by over 1,000 residents and repeatedly criticised the plans as “entirely inappropriate”. Braverman welcomed the U-turn, saying: “I am delighted that the Home Office has listened to me and local people.” 

The MP had raised specific concerns about the building’s fire safety provisions, which she described as “wholly inadequate”, and warned of potential antisocial behaviour. Her intervention came amid wider tensions over asylum policy, with Braverman using the decision to criticise the new Labour government’s approach to Channel crossings. 

Local opposition had previously spilled onto the streets, with around 50 protesters gathering outside Wates House last month. Demonstrators displayed banners with slogans including “say no to illegal immigrants at Wates House”. Police monitored the protest but no disturbances were reported. 

Despite the Home Office’s withdrawal, Braverman indicated the matter wasn’t fully resolved. She continues to urge the council to acquire the property for local residents, suggesting it could help those on the housing waiting list.

The episode highlights ongoing tensions between national asylum policies and local concerns, with Fareham becoming the latest community to push back against government accommodation plans. 

The decision comes as the new Labour government reviews its approach to asylum accommodation, having scrapped the Rwanda deportation scheme. With record numbers of Channel crossings this year, the debate over suitable housing for asylum seekers looks set to continue sparking similar disputes across the country.