MP and council debunk 'flats for asylum seekers' rumours

DEVELOPER DENIES 'MISLEADING' CLAIM SAYING: 'WE'VE NOT EVEN LAID THE FIRST BRICK'

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

A DEVELOPER behind plans to turn a former nursing home into apartments has denied “misleading” claims it will house asylum seekers.

Gedling Borough Council and MP Michael Payne have joined developer Waseem Shafiq in rebuffing rumours that the former Ernehale Lodge Nursing Home in Arnold will house “male asylum seekers or refugees”.

The denials follow claims about the building's future circulated on social media amid a national debate on accommodation for people seeking asylum in the UK.

Mr Shafiq’s plans - which were first turned down, a decision he later overturned at appeal - would see 19 apartments at the former nursing home, on Furlong Street.

On Friday, he said he was not aware of the rumours until asked to comment on them by the Post.

“People are talking about asylum seekers - we've not even laid the first brick yet,” he said.