CALLS have been made to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to reverse a decision to open a home to house asylum seekers in Tillingham.

Maldon District Council has been informed by the Home Office that it has approved the procurement of a property to accommodate up to six people under the National Asylum Dispersal Programme.

In response, Cllr Simon Morgan, Leader of Maldon District Council, said: "I have written to the Home Secretary to voice concerns, that such a relatively remote rural location with limited public transport and a lack of the sort of services that asylum seekers may require is not an appropriate location in which to place them.

"I have also raised these concerns with Sir John Whittingdale MP, Dame Priti Patel MP and the Chief Constable of Essex and I would also like to thank Cllrs Neall and Cllr Stamp who have made their own separate representations to the Home Secretary.

"As well as raising concerns we have also requested more detailed information from the Home Office so that if the placement does proceed, we will be able to provide as much help and support as we can to both those being accommodated and to the community at large.

"I wish to make it clear that is the Home Office who decides where and which properties are used, and whilst the Council can make representations, it cannot approve or reject proposals.

"We will, of course, continue to monitor the situation but until the Home Office comes back to us with a response to our queries, we are unable to comment further at this time."

Maldon MP Sir John Whittingdale has written to the Home Secretary calling on her to reverse the decision.

His letter can be read here:-