Locals fuming after Labour's 'secret' plan to move migrants into £250k flats killing off 'Zombieland' High Street
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Locals say they have been left in the dark by the government
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Locals of a southern town with a derelict high street have complained about being exploited by the government over plans to erect a new migrant hotel above empty shops.
After recent unrest at other migrant sites, residents from Waterlooville in Hampshire said new arrivals could bring "chaos" to what is already a "dead" community hub.
Last week saw riot police deployed in Epping and Canary Wharf after protests broke out.
According to the Daily Mail, the Home Office plans to relocate 35 asylum seekers to a new development where flats can sell for £250,000.
It is part of an initiative to reduce the numbers of asylum seekers in hotels and 'disperse' migrants across UK towns and cities.
The issue though is that the plan was done without any consultation with the local council and to the anger of locals.
Tensions have risen in the town which because of its low visitor numbers has been regarded as a "zombie land".
A final decision is to be made in the coming days, however, residents' concerns stem from being kept in the dark about issues that could shape the town's future.
Residents from Waterlooville in Hampshire said new arrivals could bring 'chaos' to what is already a 'dead' community hub
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Waterlooville has seen big name stores like Waitrose, Wilko, Game and Peacocks leave its high street over the past few years.
A Wetherspoons has remained, however, and residents are worried the lack of life in the town could lead to migrant men loitering about.
Steve, who said he had lived in the town his entire life and he would be "worried now" to let his 13-year-old granddaughter "go out up the high street".
Peacocks has since been shut down on the High Street
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"There's no criminal history checks on these people," he told the Mail.
"It's easy to get swept up in that aspect, but it's not just that, I think it will attract trouble for us as well as the migrants."
The new development earmarked for the town is a block of 19 flats called Waterloo House and owned by Mountley Group.
Along with private rentals, the Home Office is looking to secure medium-sized sites, including student accommodation and old tower blocks to house migrants.
Other residents who shared their concerns about the earmarked hotel said if it was to be greenlit, "there could be fights and trouble up here".
Sid Conroy said "there are people waiting years on housing waiting lists" and instead it "just seems like they get a brand new flat just like that?"
"Why can't they look after us first?" he said.
"Our government is making us unhappy because of it. People are left behind."