LOCAL politicians and civic leaders have described secret Government proposals to house 140 asylum seekers at the Grosvenor Hotel in Morecambe as "totally inappropriate."

Last week The Citizen exclusively revealed that the Home Office has instructed a London-based property company, Leena Corporation, to find suitable accommodation for asylum seekers.

Leena had earmarked the Grosvenor Hotel on Sandylands Prom and the North West Consortium for Asylum Seekers had been asked to assess the plan's on the resort.

They sought the views of the county council, city council and local MP who all objected strongly to the proposals.

"To cram 140 refugees into a sea-front hotel on Sandylands is simply not on," said Geraldine Smith. "It's not fair on the refugees and its not fair on Morecambe. A large hotel in the tourism sector is the wrong location and will send out the message that tourism in the resort is dead. It's totally inappropriate and it's not suitable accommodation to house families."

Geraldine has asked about the Grosvenor plans during Parliamentary Questions and spoken direct to Government Minister, Barbara Roach.

She added: "I have made my views known in the strongest possible terms. That area already has a lot of pressures on its health and education services. I know both the city and county councils have objected to the proposal and I hope that the Home Offices takes all our views on board. I think they should be asking local authorities if they have suitable accommodation."

Secret documents outlining the Grosvenor Hotel plans stress that the Home Office will have the final say.

Under the proposals the 50-bedroom hotel will be increased to 70 rooms by converting the existing conference and meeting rooms. Most of the refugees are expected to be families but 10 per cent will be single adults.