More than a thousand people have signed a petition opposing plans to house asylum seekers in Kibworth and Great Glen.
The Asylum Seeker Dispersal Programme, managed by outsourcing company Serco, is part of a government plan to move people from hotel accommodation into residential properties.
Harborough MP Neil O’Brien launched the petition, arguing the villages are too remote and lack facilities to support the move.
Speaking to HFM, he said: “This plan to house asylum seekers in Kibworth and Great Glen is crazy. Both villages are rural with predominantly family populations. They are far removed from other asylum seekers in Leicester and other urban areas, where they can be more easily monitored.
“Placing them in areas with limited facilities doesn’t make sense at all. I have demanded an urgent meeting with Serco, and I am also calling on Harborough District Council to use its existing planning powers – particularly around HMOs – to prevent any asylum accommodation being set up locally. I encourage all residents to sign the petition.”
The petition currently has 1,413 signatures.
Harborough District Council said no properties are currently in use by Serco and a spokesperson added: “The council is notified by Serco of potential properties and can respond within a very short timescale, based on limited criteria relating to serious anti-social behaviour or criminality, which generally does not apply in the Harborough district area. Under Home Office guidance, the council will not be disclosing the exact locations of any properties.”
Cllr Phil Knowles, leader of the council, said: “This is a national policy implemented from Westminster, over which the council has extremely limited input. Our role is to ensure that any property brought forward by Serco, irrespective of location, meets all the required licences and planning permissions.
“Those sitting in Westminster are best placed to comment directly to ministers, rather than suggesting to residents that our council can influence this policy. “
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We expect all properties to be safe, appropriate, and compliant with planning regulations. This is part of closing asylum hotels and moving residents into basic accommodation.”
A Serco spokesperson added: “We work under the direction of the Home Office and engage with the relevant local authority before procuring any property, giving them an opportunity to provide a view on suitability.”
