Asylum: Sully still in frame (From Barry And District News)

Asylum: Sully still in frame

FURIOUS residents are threatening protests after the Home Office revealed Sully Hospital is still being considered to house 750 asylum seekers.

On Tuesday Home Office Minister Lord Rooker announced that three sites in Bicester, Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire had been selected for its accommodation trial, while two others had been proven unsuitable in North Lincolnshire and Cheshire.

As a result, three sites are still on the cards including Sully Hospital. However, it has also been revealed that the government is now considering using sites that were not included in this original eight. Worried residents in Sully are now demanding a decision be made quickly.

Colette Dampier, of Conybeare Road, helped set up a petition against the plans when they were revealed in January.

She said: "People are really worried about it. They are more concerned than ever.

"Four months is a long time to be kept in the dark. I think they've just been trying to pacify us when all along I think we've been lied to."

She added: "A few people have also said they will go even further they are so annoyed, with protests and demonstrations."

Vale of Glamorgan AM Jane Hutt said: "Sully is not fit for suitable for use as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers. The building, which is listed, is porous and unsafe and would require millions to put it right for any purpose."

Vale MP John Smith paid tribute to local residents and Sully Community Council.

He said: "Though Sully has not been completely discounted, I believe the plan to use the hospital site is now dead in the water.

"The people of Sully have argued this case using measured and objective arguments and that has worked as Tuesday's ann-ouncement has shown."