Tiny Welsh village 'betrayed' as asylum seekers secretly moved into old village hall

A tiny Welsh village had to watch on while asylum seekers were “secretly” moved into their old village hall.

Locals in Gronant, Flintshire, say they feel “blindsided” and “betrayed” by the arrival of their new neighbours.

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The village is home to just 1,600 people.

Its hall, which enjoys hilltop views over the village and the sea, had been out of use for some time before being converted into a series of new-build homes.

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And though locals had thought the properties would be rented out on the open market, they were shocked to discover they have been made home to “asylum seekers” instead.

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Labour-run Flintshire Council insists the migrants are “not illegal immigrants” and deserve to be treated with “compassion and respect”.

GB News first reported the Home Office had pledged to stop housing ­migrants in new-build homes after the infamous “Migrant Street” was exposed.

And last night, The Sun revealed that out of 15 new units in Gronant, 13 have been taken over by Clearsprings, the Home Office contractor which rakes in millions from the migrant crisis.

Kerrie Cox, 39, who lives near the new migrant housing, told the newspaper that nobody was told about the arrivals.

“I was washing my car and a blacked out minibus arrived and seven people got out, five males and two females,” she said.

Ms Cox said villagers had been told the newbuilds were to be “leased out or sold with a promise of them going as social housing”.

But now, “everyone is in shock”, she said.

“We have had the police here all day and night. We don’t normally have a police presence around here.

“I feel betrayed by the Government as a taxpayer,” she added.

Fellow local Julie Tuson, 65, agreed that she felt “absolutely betrayed” by Labour.

Her partner Robert Bagshaw, 64, said authorities “wouldn’t have a ­consultation beforehand because they would know the outcome”, calling Gronant “definitely the wrong area”.

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And 29-year-old Laurie Gilmour said: “The feeling in the village is one of anger and uncertainty. It’s about not knowing who will be there. Who would want a load of random people moving into a village?”

Local Labour councillor Glyn Banks has confirmed a briefing from the Home Office and Clearsprings has been booked in for this week.

Mr Banks said he will invite North Wales Police to attend “as this has fallen in to our laps and theirs and they need to ensure everyone’s safety and hopefully reassure locals with regular patrols”.

While Cristiana Emsley, Reform UK MS for Fflint Wrecsam, said: “People in Gronant do not want this imposed on their community, and I will do everything I can to ensure the Home Office listens.”

A Flintshire County Council spokesman said: “As part of the UK Government’s national asylum dispersal scheme, the Home Office is procuring accommodation in Flintshire and across the UK to meet the needs of individuals and families seeking asylum.

“This UK Government initiative is being delivered by the Home Office, with the council required to support the process through local coordination and service planning.

“This accommodation will support a group of families who have arrived in the UK seeking safety and protection.

“These people are currently awaiting decisions on their asylum claims in accordance with UK and international law.

“They are not illegal immigrants; they are individuals exercising their legal right to claim asylum and deserve to be treated with compassion and respect.

“Funding to support these placements, including education and healthcare provision, is being provided by the UK Government through dedicated asylum dispersal funding mechanisms.

“Flintshire County Council will remain in regular contact with the Home Office, procurement partners, and other relevant agencies.”

A ­Government spokesman said: “The concerns of communities are central to our immigration reforms.”