Council Leader ‘deeply disappointed’ at lack of Home Office response to asylum hotels request

22 January 2026

The Leader of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has expressed his deep disappointment at the Home Office after it failed to respond to the authority’s request for information about its use of three hotels as asylum accommodation.

On 17 December the Council wrote to the Government department seeking clarification about their use of the three hotels and requesting information about their current and future requirements. The request was made as WNC considers its next steps in the planning enforcement process. It followed on from the Epping Forest District Council Appeal Court ruling which clearly pointed to the need for the Home Office to provide information to ensure a robust process.

Yet despite issuing a 21-day deadline to the Home Office for the information, followed by a further reminder last week, WNC has yet to receive any response to its request.

“I am deeply disappointed that, having written on behalf of our residents to the Home Office requesting this information, we have received no response whatsoever.

“By ignoring our request they also ignore the shared concerns of people living in West Northamptonshire who continue to deal with the unreasonable strain that the use of these hotels as asylum accommodation places on our communities and public services.

“However despite this government wall of silence, our Council is undeterred from pursuing our case against these hotels and following the robust planning and legal processes whilst doing so.”Councillor Mark Arnull, Leader of West Northamptonshire Council

Having already issued Planning Contravention Notices to the owners of the three hotels in September, the Council continues to actively work through the complex legal process for using formal planning enforcement powers, whilst also continuing to gather evidence to ensure it has a robust case. It recently put together a taskforce of senior officers to continue to progress the work as it remains resolute in pursuing action on behalf of its residents.