MP’s delight as he claims Home Office has confirmed it will not house asylum seekers at former Sutton Bridge hotel

South Holland MP Sir John Hayes says the Home Office has confirmed it won’t continue with plans to house asylum seekers at the former Bridge Hotel in Sutton Bridge.

In May, South Holland District Council went public with a plan by the Home Office to buy the newly refurbished building to house those seeking asylum there while they’re going through that legal process.

While the developers API Ltd claimed it had no plans to sell to the Home Office or use it for asylum seekers, a meeting attended by an estimated 400 people last month heard that the district council would seek written confirmation.

Sir John says that after numerous meetings with government officials, that was now set to arrive, something SHDC leader Coun Nick Worth told tonight’s (Wednesday, July 15) meeting of the council.

“This is a real victory for the people of Sutton Bridge,” he said. “I’ve been proud to lead the campaign to stop the Bridge Hotel from being for asylum seekers.

“I’m really grateful to all of those that have put the time and effort into this and especially the many hundreds of people who have contacted me for their support.

“We could not have done it without the efforts of the local council, councillors and especially the local people.

“It’s a victory for common sense . It was never the right place for a concentration of migrants, in a rural area, miles from Spalding and and King’s Lynn.

“Everyone locally knows the building as the Bridge Hotel and the idea of putting such a community far from the facilities they need was wrong from the start.

“I’m delighted with this result. It’s taken a lot of effort, commitment and work to ensure the people of Sutton Bridge received the common sense decision they deserve.

“Over the years in Sutton Bridge we had the plans for the incinerator, which we were told couldn’t be stopped, the asphalt plant, which we were told couldn’t be stopped and now the asylum plan we were told couldn’t be stopped. We managed to stop them all.

“That’s because Sutton Bridge people have stood up, spoken out and got the result they deserve.”

Coun Nick Worth said at tonight’s meeting: “There’s a letter to say the Home Office has withdrawn the asylum application at Sutton Bridge heading our way.

“It’s good news and thanks to the ward members, Coun Tracey Carter and the housing team for all their help with that.

“It’s been a real team effort form the council and a very pleasing result.”

Coun Chris Brewis, one of the ward members for the area, added: “I’d like to thank our leader Nick, on behalf of the entire population of Sutton Bridge, the hundreds that turned out for the meeting.

“This will go down unbelievably well in Sutton Bridge. The unanimity shown by this authority with the help of Sir John and how we occasionally actually achieve something.”