Despite local objections, the Home Office has greenlit plans to house asylum seekers in a quaint north Wales village. The proposal to transform Oak Alyn Hall, a former care home near Gwersyllt, into a 28-room House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) has stirred quite a buzz. Residents initially weren’t told the HMO would host asylum seekers, sparking rumours and debates online.
Councillor Mark Pritchard, Wrexham Council’s leader, updated the executive board after months of back-and-forth. Clear Springs, the company behind the project, consulted on plans to accommodate 20 single adults. However, the council’s objections, citing community safety and cohesion concerns, didn’t sway the decision.
After a multi-agency consultation, and despite further meetings and a letter to the Welsh Government, Clear Springs decided to push forward with the project. Even though there’s no formal planning requirement to specify its use for asylum seekers, confirmation has now been received that this will indeed be the case.
Local residents are raising questions about road safety, parking, infrastructure, and privacy, regardless of the building’s future residents. The planning application, submitted by the owner, includes internal modifications to the building but promises to leave its exterior largely as is. It aims to meet the local demand for affordable living spaces, especially for young professionals and key workers.
While the decision remains controversial, Clear Springs insists the development addresses a real need for affordable housing options in Wrexham. What’s your take on this move? Would you support such a development in your community?