**Vale of Glamorgan Council Steps Up to Quash Rumours Surrounding Hotel Residents**
Following mounting speculation and misinformation about the occupants of a Cardiff Airport hotel, the Vale of Glamorgan Council has moved to clarify the reality of the situation. In response to growing concern on social media and within the local community, officials have issued a detailed statement in an effort to address false narratives and ensure the public is accurately informed.
The centre of attention is the Holiday Inn Express in Rhoose, which has been designated by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as temporary accommodation for families and individuals from Afghanistan. These residents, referred to as Entitled Persons (EPs), were closely allied with UK military operations in their home country and have consequently earned the right to resettle in Britain. The council stressed that these guests are neither illegal immigrants, asylum seekers, nor refugees; they hold indefinite leave to remain under a UK Government programme.
The arrangement forms part of a UK-wide initiative led by the MOD, which has overseen the use of such sites to provide short-term stability while more permanent homes are sought. This measure comes on the heels of previous efforts to support those fleeing conflict, and the Rhoose site has played a role before in housing families during urgent circumstances.
A recent intervention from Andrew RT Davies, Conservative Senedd member for South Wales Central, raised queries about the suitability of housing people in a location with limited facilities. Despite such concerns, the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s official response has sought to underscore the collaborative approach being taken with national and local partners. The council stressed that all further operational matters fall primarily within the MOD’s remit but reiterated the importance of open communication with the community.
In their most recent statement, the council confirmed that the first intake at the hotel would comprise 19 families with children, three couples, and a sole individual. This temporary relocation is expected to last up to nine months while efforts continue to find appropriate permanent housing across the UK. The commitment to transparency, said council leaders, is part of their ethos of inclusion and support for all residents.
Councillor Lis Burnett, leader of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, offered a personal perspective on the issue. She contextualised the hotel’s use as part of a broader MOD operation aimed at helping those who risked their safety to assist British forces. “These individuals have demonstrated great loyalty and made significant sacrifices,” she remarked, underlining that the initiative is not a council decision but one the authority is proud to support as part of its tradition of hospitality and compassion.
Efforts are ongoing to ensure proper support and integration for the new arrivals. Council teams, in partnership with the MOD, Welsh Government, and relevant agencies, have begun working towards preparing for their needs. Key amongst these is education: initial talks with local schools are underway to gauge available places for children, although exact arrangements will be made once the families arrive and their specific requirements are known. Additional funding from central government is set to bolster health and educational resources to accommodate the temporary rise in demand.
Highlighting examples from neighbouring St Athan, where Afghan evacuees were previously housed, Councillor Burnett drew attention to the warm welcome extended by residents there. Community spirit manifested in both official and volunteer efforts — from invitations to local sports clubs to the collection of essential items. “The Vale is known for its empathy and hospitality. I have every confidence Rhoose, Barry and other local communities will be just as welcoming,” she said.
The council stressed the trauma many of these families may have endured, facing upheaval and uncertainty as they begin anew in unfamiliar surroundings. Community support, it argued, would play a pivotal role in helping them adapt and thrive.
Regular updates, the council promised, will be provided as the situation develops. Collaboration with the MOD and other stakeholders remains ongoing, with the express aim of creating a safe, supportive environment for those starting a new chapter in the UK. This approach, say local leaders, reaffirms the area’s longstanding values of tolerance and inclusion even amidst challenge and change.