Students at flats that could house asylum seekers surprised at proposals

Students living in a block of flats in Leeds have spoken out after plans emerged to possibly turn their accommodation into a hostel to house asylum seekers.

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The Home Office has applied to use the 247-bedroom, three-storey 1970s block of flats named Mary Morris House in Headingley to house migrants.

The move has come as a surprise to locals and university students living in the accommodation, who were completely unaware of the proposal.

Critics suggested that targeting a student building was a way of avoiding the full scrutiny that would be expected if a full planning application was lodged.

On Thursday, two security guards were stationed outside the block as a handful of students came in and out, some arriving for the start of term later this month.

A number of them said they'd not been told about the proposals and were concerned about what it could mean for their homes.

Dave Bijunarayam, 25, said: "We haven't received any emails or anything like that. They should be telling us this kind of information ASAP.

"We have the right to know everything that's going to happen here. We're the tenants.

"Information has to be shared. But this is the first time I'm hearing this. It's quite a surprise."

Dave graduated from Leeds Beckett University

Peter Kharthangma, 27, studying business management at Leeds University and also living in Mary Morris House.

with a masters degree in business administration last year, but chose to renew his tenancy because he felt at home.