Asylum seekers handed 'new £300k townhouses with en-suites' as locals fume after being 'kept in the dark'

Chris Philp MP says Conservative councils are mounting legal challenges to remove asylum seekers from hotels |

GB NEWS

Isabelle Parkin

By Isabelle Parkin


Published: 01/09/2025

- 10:29

Updated: 01/09/2025

- 13:57

The homes feature en-suite bathrooms and underfloor heating

Asylum seekers are understood to have been placed in townhouses worth around £300,000 in a Suffolk village as residents claim they have been "kept in the dark".

The three-bedroom properties feature en-suite bathrooms, underfloor heating, electric vehicle charging points and have a rental value of £1,200 a month.


According to the property developer, the homes are "nestled in the tranquil and sought-after village" and offer a "serene living experience".

The firm adds: "With their eco-friendly features and thoughtful amenities, these properties are an ideal choice for those looking to embrace a green lifestyle in a peaceful, community-oriented location."

The homes have been leased to public services company Serco on behalf of the Home Office, The Sun reports.

It is believed that at least one migrant family has moved in so far and they arrived to Britain through a legal means.

However, residents claim they were not informed of asylum seekers being housed there, adding they have been "kept in the dark".

Others questioned why the properties were not instead offered to locals who are struggling to get onto the property ladder.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

The homes have been leased to Serco on behalf of the Home Office

|

KESTREL HOMES AND CONSTRUCTION

Mum-of-two Laura Garland said: "There are people born in this country that pay taxes who can’t get housing.

“Then you get these families who are put straight into brand new three-bedroom houses.

"The worst thing is — none of us knew. We’ve been kept in the dark.”

Clive Bloomfield, aged 62, added: "It’s all just happened without us knowing about it. Our opinions don’t seem to count.

The Government is facing mounting pressure over the use of asylum hotels as protests continue

|

GETTY

“There’s people working hard to try to get on the property ladder and they’re not considered.”

Not every resident in the village however opposed the housing of asylum seekers there.

Lizzie Simmonds said: "Let them [asylum seekers] have the opportunities that they weren’t given before. There’s a reason they left.”

A Serco spokeswoman told GB News: "Once the Home Office made the decision that asylum seekers should be accommodated in Suffolk, Serco had discussions with the local authority (LA) about which postcodes would be suitable in their area.

"Once a postcode was agreed by the LA, Serco then sought the appropriate accommodation required."

William Yarwood, media campaign manager of the TaxPayers' Alliance, called on ministers to "get a grip on the asylum system", saying housing should go to taxpayers rather than those "gaming the system".

He said: "Taxpayers will be furious that brand new homes are being handed over to house asylum seekers, while local families are struggling to get on the housing ladder.

“After Labour has pledged to end the use of asylum hotels, ordinary people in Suffolk and across Britain are being kept in the dark and left to pick up the bill yet again.

“Ministers must get a grip on the asylum system, stop wasting public money and ensure taxpayer-funded housing goes to those who’ve paid in, not those gaming the system.”

Earlier this year, Serco published its full dispersal portfolio to its website, spanning across 120 local authorities including Suffolk.


The list was however not drawn up by the Home Office and was later removed.

The Government is currently facing mounting pressure over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels, as protests continue to be held across the country.

The Home Office last week successfully overturned a temporary injunction granted to Epping Forest District Council, which would have required the removal of asylum seekers from The Bell Hotel.

A series of demonstrations have followed including in Epping, where three people were arrested over the weekend after protesters marched to the town's council offices.

Three people were arrested in Epping after protesters marched to the town's council offices over the weekend

|

GETTY


Despite the Home Office's court victory, more than 12 councils are said to be getting ready to take legal action against the Government over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels.

This has been backed by Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, who urged Tory-led councils seeking similar injunctions against migrant hotels to "keep going".

Labour has pledged to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029.

More From GB News