The Highland Council is to write to the Home Secretary calling for “urgent clarity” over plans to house 300 male asylum seekers at a former Inverness army base.
Councillors discussed the Cameron Barracks proposal, which was laid out more than a week ago by ministers, during an emergency meeting on Thursday.
It comes as the Home Office seeks to move asylum seekers out of hotels and into what they deem “more suitable” accommodation.
The base was recently used as transitional accommodation for Afghan refugees.
STV NewsSTV News
An online public petition against the idea has been backed by almost 12,000 people. It highlights a need for more local housing, claims the barracks proposal would strain already scarce resources in the Highland capital and complains of a lack of consultation with its residents.
The prospect of both protests and counter-demonstrations has been discussed on social media.
Prior to the emergency local authority meeting, council leaders in the Highlands had called for “reasoned debate and calm”.
It has since been confirmed that the council will write to UK Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, asking for “urgent clarity”.
Speaking after the debate, council leader Raymond Bremner said: “Highland Council, as the local authority, requires recognition – which we haven’t received so far.
“I’ve already written to the Home Secretary. I’ve had no reply to that letter. This letter will be a follow-up with a lot of the questions that remain unanswered in terms of the programme that they’re intending going ahead with.
“There are a number of considerations and communications that we’ve received from members in our community and we need to make sure that the Home Office hears that voice.”
It had been claimed that Highland Council had not been consulted on the plans, but it has emerged that an invitation to an online meeting had been missed in early October.
Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander said it was unfair to say there had been no dialogue with the relevant authorities.
However, First Minister John Swinney believes there has been a lack of engagement with the local community from the UK Government.
He said: “There has to be good, substantive engagement with communities and public authorities.
“Regrettably, in relation to Cameron Barracks, that has been completely absent from the United Kingdom Government.”
A million-pound refurbishment is to be carried out at the barracks
The Home Office has promised “appropriate security” and “robust measures to support community cohesion.”
The first asylum seekers are due to arrive at the barracks in the second week of December.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
