The Home Office are unlikely to move forward with controversial plans to house up to 3,000 asylum seekers at Pontins in Ainsdale, OTS News understands.
Sefton Council and the Home Office had been locked in discussions for months after the government department enquired to the Council about housing families of asylum seekers at the holiday camp back in 2022.
Southport MP Damien Moore vehemently opposed the plans, citing concerns over additional stresses to local social services and the impact on the town as a holiday destination.
OTS understands that Sefton Council shared similar concerns, in addition to issues such as the security of the site.
A spokesperson from Sefton Council said: “Following detailed discussions between the Sefton Council Chief Executive and colleagues from the Home Office, we have now been informed that the Home Office no longer wish to pursue plans to house Asylum Seekers at the Pontins site in Ainsdale. We are awaiting written confirmation of this decision.”
Much of the concern stemmed from Sefton’s Children’s Services, which has been under increasing pressure for several years. Central government dispatched a commissioner to report in 2022 to report on the department, which continues to face significant pressures despite £22m worth of extra budget allocation.
Various reports published by Sefton Council indicate that senior leadership and staff are seeing improvement within the department, but that the extra pressure of asylum seekers at Pontins would be a significant concern.
OTS News was unable to verify when a written decision would be received by the Home Office.