Labour has banned asylum seekers from being housed in new-build homes following a public backlash over plans to place migrant families in a housing estate in rural Shropshire.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has introduced new guidance preventing asylum seekers from being accommodated in newly built properties or in locations close to schools and nurseries.
The move comes after controversy erupted over plans to house more than 80 asylum seekers in 21 new-build homes worth around £250,000 each in the village of Stoke Heath, Shropshire.
However, the scheme will still go ahead because it was approved before the new rules came into force.
The Stoke Heath development has become a flashpoint in the increasingly heated debate over asylum accommodation.
Conservative MP Mark Pritchard condemned the plans as “completely inappropriate”, arguing that the rural village lacks the public services and infrastructure needed to support such a large influx of residents.
“This is the wrong location and at the wrong scale,” he said.
“I will fight these ill-conceived plans all the way.”
Shropshire Council has also formally objected to the development and written to the Home Secretary demanding answers.
The Home Office says the new policy will ensure developments similar to Stoke Heath cannot be approved in future.
A spokesman said: “New homes should never house asylum seekers.
“Earlier this year, the Home Secretary introduced robust processes to ensure new-build sites like Stoke Heath can never be considered again.”
The guidance also prevents asylum accommodation from being located near schools and nurseries.
The changes come as immigration remains one of the biggest political issues facing the Government.
Labour has pledged to end the use of asylum hotels before the next general election by moving migrants into alternative accommodation, including former military sites and dispersed housing.
Official figures show that 20,885 asylum seekers were still being housed in hotels at the end of March, although ministers say that number has fallen significantly.
A further 72,768 asylum seekers were living in alternative accommodation across the country.
Meanwhile, more than 100,000 failed asylum seekers appealing rejected claims remain eligible for taxpayer-funded housing while their cases are considered.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused the Government of failing to get tough enough on illegal migration.
“Illegal immigrants should not be put in brand new homes local young people couldn’t dream of affording to live in,” he said.
“Illegal immigrants should be deported, not given free housing.”
The row comes as ministers attempt to reduce asylum costs, clear application backlogs and respond to growing public concern over migration levels and housing pressures.
With immigration expected to remain a major battleground at the next general election, Labour’s decision to ban asylum seekers from new-build homes marks its latest attempt to demonstrate a tougher stance on the issue.
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