STV NewsHighland Council has “welcomed” the scrapping of a plan to house asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks, but are yet to receive written confirmation from the Home Office.
The UK Government previously announced that the Scottish army base near Inverness would be used to house 300 adult male asylum seekers in an effort to end the use of hotels.
The move was due to begin in phases in December; however, this was delayed after major refurbishment works worth £1.3m were approved for January.
It is not known if the works, including asbestos removal from the basement boiler room, were carried out.
On Thursday, STV News reported that Westminster had U-turned on the decision to house asylum seekers at the barracks.
Highland Council has since “welcomed” the decision; however, the local authority has not received “official written confirmation” regarding the scrapped proposal.
In a joint statement from Highland Council convenor Bill Lobban, leader Raymond Bremner, and opposition leader Alasdair Christie, the local authority said it “sought to engage constructively” throughout the process.
It read: “Despite our repeated requests, plans were not provided, questions were not answered, and communication from the Home Office was limited.
“This has created prolonged uncertainty for local agencies and communities. While we still await official written confirmation, we welcome the fact that a decision looks like it has been reached, providing much-needed clarity for local communities.
“The Highlands has a strong record of welcoming and supporting asylum seekers and refugees, however, Cameron Barracks was not a suitable site for the scale of the proposal under consideration.”
STV News understands that the Home Office has also not written to the Scottish Government regarding the U-turn.
The Scottish Government’s justice secretary, Shirley Anne Somerville, said the Home Office has failed to “adequately answer” questions regarding the plans.
She added: “The reported decision not to proceed is in the best interests of the local community and the people who would have been accommodated at the site.
“Scotland has a long history of welcoming people of all nationalities and faiths, including those seeking refuge and asylum from war and persecution.
“We will continue to cooperate fully with the UK Government on its plans to accommodate people seeking asylum, but going forward these plans must be practical and proportionate and – critically – be developed in meaningful collaboration with the Scottish Government, the relevant local authority and all relevant partners and stakeholders.”
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