Plans to convert Northop Hall Hotel into 400 bed asylum seeker hostel look set to be refused

Plans to convert Northop Hall Hotel into a hostel for 400 asylum seekers look set to be refused at next week’s Flintshire planning committee meeting.

The property owner, Payman Holdings 3 Ltd, has submitted plans for the conversion of the hotel.

These plans also include the provision of 2-storey modular units on a former car park area adjacent to the hotel, aiming to form an accommodation centre for asylum seekers.

The main building would accommodate 156 occupants plus communal facilities whilst the 126 modular units would accommodate 252 occupants, giving a total of 408 occupants.

According to documents published ahead of next week’s planning committee meeting,

Flintshire Council’s chief planning officer is advising councillors to refuse planning permission.

In a report, Andrew Farrow said: “The development is considered to be inappropriate to the character of the site and its immediate and wider setting and would significantly alter the character and appearance of the hotel as a Building of Local Interest and disrupt its local distinctiveness as a historic asset.”

“The overall scale, siting and design of the proposed development will result in a detrimental impact upon the living conditions, amenity and potentially the safety of the adjoining neighbouring residential properties as well as the living conditions of the occupants.”

The report notes that concerns have arisen due to insufficient data about the development’s impact on local road networks and pedestrian safety.

The proposal did not provide clarity on its sustainable integration within the community’s infrastructure.

The site’s potential vulnerability to flooding.

The proposal overlooks the safeguarding of Public Footpath No. 39, with no alternatives presented.

The development’s effect on protected species remains unclear, conflicting with Flintshire’s policy STR4 and EN6.

The impact on trees, integral to local ecology and aesthetics, hasn’t been sufficiently assessed, opposing policies.

Politicians and community councils have voiced their objections to a proposed development, the report states.

Jack Sargeant, Member of the Senedd for Alyn and Deeside, and Mark Tami MP for Alyn and Deeside, have expressed concerns over the viability of the site as a hotel.

They argue that future residents would struggle to access essential services due to limited transport links. The current design of the hotel, they believe, is best suited for short-term stays rather than long-term accommodation.

Sam Rowlands, a member of the Welsh Parliament for North Wales, has raised alarms over the potential impact on homes and businesses in the vicinity.

He claims the development does not meet specific requirements of the Local Development Plan (LDP).

Delyn’s MP, Rob Roberts, delivered a stark critique, comparing the proposal to a “prison camp”.

Roberts expressed concerns over the proposed influx of 400 men into the village, which could strain local services and negatively affect the community.

Northop Community Council has voiced strong objections, emphasising the detrimental effects on both the potential residents and the wider community.

The council’s concerns encompass limited facilities, lack of support for the asylum seekers, and potential financial gains for private companies offering inappropriate accommodation.

Hawarden Community Council has also expressed strong reservations. They criticise the Planning Design & Access Statement for being ‘misleading and misrepresenting’ Flintshire County Council policies.

The council raised multiple concerns, from potential fire hazards and pollutants to the impact on tourism and community cohesion.

A staggering 2596 letters of objection were received at the time of reporting.

The objections highlight a broad spectrum of concerns. Among them is the belief that the proposed modular units offer unsuitable and ‘inhumane’ accommodation for asylum seekers, potentially affecting their mental health and overall wellbeing

Others argue the proposal could harm the Northop County Hall House Hotel, a building of local significance, and impact the surrounding open countryside.

Fears abound that the facility might lead to crime, anti-social behaviour, and a general risk to public safety due to the large number of inhabitants with limited access to amenities.

Concerns have been raised about the potential noise from the facility and a loss of privacy for nearby residents.

The anticipated increase in traffic, combined with poor lighting and high-speed roads, is cited as a significant safety concern. The proposal’s potential impact on pedestrian routes also raises eyebrows.

With healthcare already stretched in Flintshire, critics worry that a sudden influx of asylum seekers could strain resources further, hampering access for existing residents.

The proposal, critics argue, could disrupt community cohesion and strain local resources due to a disproportionate increase in the population.

There are worries about the potential negative impact on local house prices.

Questions arise about the adequacy of staff proposed to manage the facility, the accuracy of the application, and concerns about sewage management.

In his conclusion, Mr Farrow said that while the applicant believes there’s a “clear need for a hostel on a suitable and available site and that substantial weight should be given to the need to accommodate asylum seekers and that there is no requirement to explore alternatives.”

He said: “Whilst the site is available it is far from evidenced or proven that it is suitable for the proposed use in terms of a range of policies, guidance and material planning considerations.”

“Neither is there any definitive information that relates to the need, either nationally or locally, to locate asylum seekers in North Wales or specifically Flintshire.”

Mr Farrow said: “The proposal fails to meet the requirements of Local and National Planning policy and is therefore recommended for refusal.”

If the plans are rejected, the applicant is likely to begin an appeal phase. ‌​‌‌​​​‌‍‌​‌​‌‌‌​‍‌​‌​‌‌​​‍‌​​‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​​​‌‌​‍‌​‌​‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌​‌‌‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​​‌‌​‍‌​‌‌‌‌‌​‍‌​​​‌‌​‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​‌​‌​‌‌‍‌​​‌​‌‌‌‍‌​​‌​‌‌​‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​‌​​‌‍‌​​‌‌​‌​‍‌​​​‌‌​​