People who live near the Sandpiper Hotel in the countryside near Chesterfield are asking the government to shut it down. The hotel was once a peaceful getaway spot for tourists, but for the past two years, it’s been used to house asylum seekers, and many locals feel like their community has changed drastically since then.
Residents say they don’t feel at ease in their own neighborhood anymore. They’ve seen groups of men walking around day and night, some asking for money, others looking into people’s windows or just standing around doing nothing. Women have spoken up about feeling nervous walking past the hotel or using the nearby footpaths. Some said men have followed them in parks or stood near their houses in groups, making them feel uneasy. As a result, some families have put up security cameras to feel safer.
A woman who has lived in the area for three years said things were okay at first, but in the last six months, she’s noticed a shift. She mentioned online posts warning about women being followed near a trail by the hotel. Now, she avoids walking there completely.
A young mother shared that men from the hotel often approach her asking for money when she gets off the bus. She feels uncomfortable going out alone and worries about her children’s safety. She doesn’t understand why a quiet family area was chosen for this kind of accommodation. While she admits that most of the asylum seekers seem harmless, a few make the neighborhood feel unsafe.
Gary Cook, whose family once ran the hotel, said it’s heartbreaking to see how things have changed. He believes the owners are only interested in profit and no longer care about the community. He also mentioned that local property values have gone down since the hotel changed its purpose.
Another woman said her daughter used to walk home from school, but now she picks her up because of the unsettling stories around the hotel. Others have reported seeing men walking at night with bats or golf clubs, which makes people feel on edge.
Many locals are also frustrated because they were never told what was happening. One day the hotel was empty, and the next, it was full of strangers. No one informed the nearby residents or asked for their thoughts. One woman said she doesn’t want to sound prejudiced, but she believes if someone is given shelter, they should respect the community, follow the rules, and clean up after themselves. Instead, she sees people littering, smoking in public places, and being rude.
An older man said he feels that the asylum seekers are receiving a lot without giving anything back. He mentioned they often toss their coffee cups on the ground and show no respect for the area. He’s also frustrated that there’s no one to contact if issues come up. The hotel used to have a phone number, but now there’s no way to speak to anyone about concerns.
One woman explained that her teenage daughter used to enjoy jogging, but now she’s too afraid to go out alone because there are always groups of men around. She doesn’t know who they are or what their backgrounds are, and she worries about their intentions. While she wants to be understanding, she also believes that protecting local families should come first.
In December, police were called to the hotel when a man was acting suspiciously. He was arrested on suspicion of possessing explosives, but later released on bail after no dangerous materials were found. Even though nothing serious happened, it added to the fear in the community.
Some residents say they feel helpless. They’re scared to speak out because they don’t want to be labeled as racist. They insist their concerns are about safety and behavior, not race or nationality. One woman said families in her neighborhood have stopped letting their kids go to the park or walk the dog alone. She said if things don’t improve, she and her family may be forced to move.
Others just feel heartbroken. What used to be a lovely hotel and quiet neighborhood has become a place filled with fear and frustration. Many locals simply want their peaceful lives back, but they’re starting to lose hope that anything will change.
