Concerns raised as Westhill hotel set to receive 173 male refugees

A councillor has hit out after Westhill residents “were not consulted” on plans to place 173 male refugees at a hotel in the town.

Councillor Iris Walker said she, and the three other Westhill and District councillors, were “briefed in strict confidence” about the Home Office decision, but the wider community is largely unaware of the plan.

The men, between the ages of 18-40, will be placed in the Aberdeenshire town’s Hampton by Hilton hotel from next week .

The Home Office will then make assessments of each of the men’s claims.

It is not understood where the men have come from in seeking refugee status in the UK.

They come as part of an agreement with local government organisation Cosla to distribute refugees across all of Scotland’s local authorities.

Documents show that once the hotel has reached capacity, security guards will be in place at the building on Gordon Park round the clock.

While two welfare officers and an employee from Mears – who procure hotels for the Home Office and are responsible for the refugees’ welfare – will be on site.

The councillors have had the opportunity to meet with council officers over the past few weeks to ask questions about the move.

Community concern

Mrs Walker said: “My constituents are worried about the impact of the arrival of such a large number in a town with limited facilities.

“They have raised concerns about the pressure on local health services and on police resources. We desperately need public reassurance from all partners.

“We cannot turn away from the concerns of our settled community and all agencies must acknowledge and address the potential impacts.”

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February last year, a number of refugees have settled in the north-east, including about 2,000 in Aberdeen alone.

Aberdeenshire has also taken in a number of Ukrainian refugees, as well as ones from other war-torn parts of the world – including Afghanistan and Syria.

Mrs Walker is “proud” of the council’s efforts on welcoming people from Ukraine into the community.

She added: “Previous resettlement has been on a much smaller scale where families have been integrated into our communities. This has worked well and they are now valued citizens of Aberdeenshire.”

Councillor Fatima Joji said she “appreciates” that there are “so many questions” from the local community regarding the move, however, fully expects the community to rally behind the new arrivals.

She said: “The Westhill that I know is a very caring community and I think we need to try and appreciate that these are very vulnerable people. We are working in partnership with community leaders and community groups in order to work on constructive and progressive ways forward.”

Council will work with the local community

An Aberdeenshire Council spokeswoman said: “Following the Home Office’s decision to utilise the hotel for accommodation, Aberdeenshire Council has been holding meetings with representatives of local churches and community groups to share information about the arrangements and to answer questions about community matters.

“We very much welcome the community input that has been provided so far.

“Aberdeenshire Council and its community planning partners will continue to work with the Westhill community to support residents and those being accommodated while the hotel is in operation.”

Westhill and Elrick Community Council told the Press & Journal it has “offered its support” to the authorities.

Secretary, David Ritchie said: “We fully support the aim of Aberdeenshire Council, working in partnership with the Home Office and agents Mears, to mitigate any negative impacts on the Westhill community and maximise the strengths, goodwill and resilience in our community.”

The Aberdeenshire Asylum Oversight Group, a subgroup of the Aberdeenshire Refugee and Asylum Strategic Group, will work as a link between Aberdeenshire Council, the Home Office and Mears.

‘Always upfront’

A spokeswoman for the Home Office said: “We have always been upfront about the unprecedented pressure being placed on our asylum system, brought about by a significant increase in dangerous and illegal journeys into the country.

“We continue to work across government and with local authorities to identify a range of accommodation options. The government remains committed to engaging with local authorities and key stakeholders as part of this process.”

A spokeswoman for the Hampton by Hilton in Westhill added: “We do not comment on the nature of bookings or the individuals who stay with us.”