The arrival of 84 asylum seekers into a Huddersfield village this month risks 'destabilising' the community and "raising tensions to a dangerous level," councillors have warned the Government.

Three local councillors united in their concerns about proposals to house 84 asylum seekers in flats at Stanley Mills - formerly Lindsay's Allsorts - on Britannia Road at Milnsbridge. They had been told that the initial plan was for 42 people, which they supported, but when it rose to 84 they raised serious concerns.

The councillors, whose Golcar ward covers Milnsbridge, told a Government minister that the village could cope with 42 new arrivals but the higher number would be "detrimental to the mental health and well being of both residents and visitors, "thus risking destabilising the community and raising tensions to a dangerous level." The Kirklees councillors outlined their concerns in a letter on August 22 to Lord Harrington who was then the Minister for Refugees.

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The letter said: "We are writing to strongly object to the proposal to increase the number of asylum seekers due to be housed at the Stanley Mills Development in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield from 42 to 84 by the Home Office in the next few weeks.

Stanley Mills, Milnsbridge. The site is currently a building site with various tradesmen at the site on Britannia Road

"We, as Councillors, collectively represent the Ward of Golcar which includes the village of Milnsbridge. For context the village is based around the canal in the shadow of a viaduct, and we do not have very much green open space in the village and there is a very busy junction at its centre.

"Whilst we welcome those in need of sanctuary into our community, we felt that the 42 initially was a level which the village could cope with, increasing the numbers would severely limit the quality of provision that we could help provide to such a state that we believe would be detrimental to the mental health and well being of both residents and visitors. Thus risking destabilising the community and raising tensions to a dangerous level."

The councillors said that Milnsbridge already had the highest level of youth anti-social behaviour in the Colne Valley and that "an increase in tension would significantly hinder our efforts towards cohesion and acceptable behaviour."

They claimed that Stanley Mills does not have any outside space, with the nearest green space being a children's play area next to a housing estate which would lead to concerns being raised if it was used by adults to congregate.

Stanley Mills - formerly Lindsay's Allsorts - in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield

The councillors said that NHS and mental health services would not be able to cope with "such a large influx of visitors."

And they said the arrival of 84 people would lead to the Mill being crowded.

"The resulting quality of life, of being so closely housed in small units in the Mill, would not be acceptable for any of our visitors or residents alike and we feel would add to the challenges that our visitors face.

"We would have preferred the developers to convert the remaining floors into a more flexible community space to improve the environment rather than crowd even more people into such a limited area."

The letter also warns that services could be overwhelmed, saying: "These issues around welcoming 42 additional people are substantial for Milnsbridge, but the local residents would work hard to welcome the visitors. However, the increase in proposed numbers would overwhelm the services available very quickly, leaving everyone at further disadvantage, and creating a very difficult environment for all. For these reasons we implore you to reassess the situation promptly, and let the community support their visitors properly."

Councillor Turner told YorkshireLive that the Minister - who quit his post on September 4 - had not replied to their letter.

The Labour councillor said he understood and shared the frustration felt by residents in Milnsbridge who were concerned about the arrival of 84 people. "The Home Office is not listening," he said.

Coun Turner believes the majority of new arrivals will be men but this has not been officially confirmed.

Kirklees Council has confirmed that it was not consulted during the decision-making process. Officials have been asking the Home Office to drop the plan on the basis that the location is not suitable.

In a statement issued this week, Cllr Carole Pattison, Cabinet Member for Learning, Aspiration and Communities, said: "We have been informed by the Home Office and its housing management contractor, Mears Group, that they have acquired accommodation in Kirklees to temporarily home individuals seeking asylum.

"Mears Group, who are acquiring accommodation across the region, manage hotels and contingency accommodation for people seeking asylum. Kirklees Council has no control over the asylum policy or system. We are notified by the Home Office that short-term accommodation is being prepared in our area and we are asked to ensure support is available for those arriving. We are disappointed that ourselves and our partner organisations were not consulted during the decision-making process, and we have written to the Home Office to express our disapproval and ask that they reconsider their decision.

"Kirklees is a place of welcome and we have a proud history of helping those who are fleeing war and persecution. We wish to continue to support these programmes and to work closely with partners to provide solutions, but it must be the right accommodation in the right locations. As we have done previously, we will work with our brilliant voluntary organisations and partners to provide support to those arriving."

A spokesman for the Home Office said: "The Home Office does not comment on operational arrangements for asylum accommodation.

"We are working with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation across the United Kingdom.

"The Home Office continues to provide safe accommodation for destitute asylum seekers who need

"Accommodation providers, in consultation with local authorities, are responsible for identifying suitable temporary accommodation that can be used for this purpose."

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