A HOTEL in the Conwy Valley is providing emergency accommodation to asylum seekers whilst their applications are being processed.

This is at the Hilton Garden Inn at Adventure Parc Snowdonia in Dolgarrog. 

MP Robin Millar has said he has spoken to the agents for the site and received confirmation of the arrangement. 

The MP for Aberconwy raised a number of concerns about the situation. 

Taking to Facebook last night, the Mr Millar said: "I will be clear. I am concerned about the suitability of this property, in this location, for this purpose. It is a hotel not a detention centre. It is isolated and unsupported by the appropriate services.

"I am also very concerned about the lack of notice, the poor communication and - most of all - the impact on communities in Dolgarrog and along Dyffryn Conwy.

"I've contacted the Home Office Minister responsible (Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP - Minister for Immigration) for an explanation and the owner of the hotel this evening for more information and to find out more details for you.

"I have also spoken this evening with the leader of Conwy Borough Council cllr Charlie McCoubry to see what arrangements are needed and can be put in place. He shares my concerns - it seems they too were unaware of these arrangements until yesterday/today. However their key staff/teams are meeting tomorrow morning.

"I am in Parliament this week and will be pressing this issue as a matter of urgency with Home Office staff and the appropriate ministers."

A Home Office spokesperson said: “The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.

“The use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable – there are currently more than 37,000 asylum seekers in hotels costing the UK taxpayer £5.6million a day. The use of hotels is a short-term solution and we are working hard with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation.”

The Home Office would not comment on operational arrangements for the individual site. 

The spokesperson added that the Home Office engage with local authorities "as early as possible" whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation and work to ensure arrangements are "safe" for hotel residents and people from the area.

Hilton EMEA Press Office told the Pioneer the hotel had informed them it is closed to the public to support a Government contract.

They added they do not own or operate the property, which is run via a franchise agreement.

The Pioneer is making efforts to obtain a comment from Hilton Garden Inn.

Cllr Charlie McCoubrey, Leader, Conwy County Borough Council, said: “We were not given advance notice that the Home Office intended to accommodate people at the Hilton Garden Hotel in Dolgarrog.  We have been making enquiries about the arrangements.

“The Council and North Wales Emergency Services are working together to ensure appropriate measures are put in place by the Home Office to support the interests of individuals and the local community.

“Conwy has welcomed many people to the county in recent times, including those fleeing the war in Ukraine, however throughout that time we have been clear that this particular rural location is wholly inappropriate to house vulnerable people.”