Home Office Backs Asylum Seeker Site in North Wales Village Despite Objections

Wrexham Council objected but says their appeal against move was rejected by UK panel The Home Office has backed proposals to place asylum seekers in a small North Wales village despite resident concerns and objections from Wrexham council. Last week North Wales Live reported that an application had been submitted to Wrexham Council to turn former care home Oak Alyn Hall, in Sydallt, near Gwersyllt, into a 28-room House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO). Online message boards had been hostile to the planned HMO and concerns raised could be used to house asylum seekers. At that stage the asylum seeker proposals had not been confirmed and this was not mentioned in the application. But today councillor Mark Pritchard, Leader of Wrexham Council, read out a statement to the authority's executive board, updating members on the property. He said Clear Springs formally consulted in October 2025 regarding Oak Alyn Hall to be used as an HMO for 20 single adults. He added: "A multi agency meeting was held to consult with partners. A formal response was submitted to Clear Springs later in the month objecting to the proposal on the grounds of community safety, community cohesion. "Clear Springs submitted the objection to the Home Office’s asylum adjudication panel and we were then informed by the panel that the case had been reviewed and the procurement was to go ahead despite objections. "Generally, the approach to asylum accommodation is that a property is purchased by an investor, who make the necessary alterations, get the relevant permissions/licences and then lease it to Clear Springs. "Officers had a meeting with representatives from the Home Office full dispersal delivery team to express our continued objection to the decision and our frustration that our consultation response had been disregarded. They undertook to investigate further. I also sent a letter to Welsh Government asking for their support. "On 20 November we were contacted by Clear Springs/Ready Homes confirming their decision to proceed with the property. "A planning application (from owner Bilal Baber) has been submitted to the authority to convert Oak Alyn to HMO accommodation. There is no reference to it being for asylum accommodation, however, there is no planning requirement to do so. Clear Springs have since confirmed that they are still pursuing the property." In the planning application Manchester-based AFR Studio said the property’s exterior appearance will be largely unaffected but layout changes and refurbishment are needed inside. The agents said the proposal will “deliver much-needed affordable accommodation”. They added: “Wrexham has an established need for flexible, affordable housing options, particularly for young professionals, key workers, and those seeking lower-cost accommodation. The intensity of use will be comparable to – or lower than – the former care home.” Residents say they are opposed to the HMO irrespective of future use, citing road safety, parking provision, local infrastructure, and the privacy of neighbouring properties. Earlier today Wrexham Council voiced concerns over "community cohesion" and the "potential for public unrest and disruption" over a separate proposal for up to 70 asylum seekers to be housed at Plas yn Rhos in the village of Rhosllanerchrugog. It is a former local authority sheltered housing facility which closed in 2016 and was put up for sale last year.