PLANS to rehouse newly-arrived asylum seekers in Scotland have been thrown into disarray after a proposal to develop an industrial site was suddenly withdrawn.
PLANS to rehouse newly-arrived asylum seekers in Scotland have been thrown into disarray after a proposal to develop an industrial site was suddenly withdrawn.
Housing provider Orchard and Shipman, which works on behalf of Serco and the Home Office, had identified the old Scottish Water office in a business park on Balmore Road in Possil as a new location for short-stay accommodation for migrants.
However, Glasgow City Council have revealed that the application submitted on October 13 was shelved yesterday.wednesday
A local authority spokesman said he could ??confirm that this application has been withdrawn".
Newly-arrived asylum seekers to Scotland are currently placed in initial accommodation at the Red Road flats on Petershill Drive but the contract with the Glasgow Housing Association expires at the end of this year ,with the six blocks due for demolition.
Now up to 200 people seeking asylum in the UK seem set to be housed in a EuroHostel in Glasgow city centre for an indefinite number of months.
People fleeing serious human rights abuses, including torture, are expected to be moved to the city centre hostel on the Clyde from December 15.
The Euro Hostel has rooms varying in size from two to 14 beds and is often home to backpackers and those visiting the city for nights out.
Concerns have been raised by refugee rights organisations who say that the accommodation is not fit place to host those escaping hardship and persecution.
Gary Christie, head of policy at the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) said that they ??hope a long-term solution can be found soon to avoid the prospect of people being housed in hostel accommodation for any length of time??.
He added: ??Any future arrangement for initial accommodation must be based around a thorough assessment of people??s needs, as many newly arrived asylum seekers have experienced torture and extreme violence and as such have particular vulnerabilities and needs.??
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said it believes that "asylum seekers, many of whom are highly vulnerable, must be provided with good quality accommodation that is safe and secure and have access to the support that they so desperately need".
"Any move to new accommodation, even on a temporary basis, must be undertaken with the minimum of disruption and without reduction in services and support," it added.We welcome the recognition in the Smith Commission??s report that Scotland needs powers on asylum, in particular different powers being in place in Scotland for asylum seekers to access accommodation and financial support and advice.??
??We recognise the concerns that have been raised by the Scottish Refugee Council on this matter and will continue to raise them with stakeholders involved.??
The recent Smith Commission on further devolution for the Scottish Parliament suggested that changes to who deals with asylum issues should be considered.
This included the possibility of ??different powers being in place in Scotland for asylum seekers to access accommodation and financial support and advice".
Meanwhile, Patricia Ferguson, MSP for Maryhill and Sprinburn whose constituency covers where the asylum seekers are currently housed, said she felt the plans for Balmore Road were ??flawed?? and was ??surprised?? that Serco and Orchard and Shipman felt that the Euro Hostel was a suitable venue.
??It seems to me like there's not enough thought given to the housing of people who are already vulnerable?? said Ms Ferguson. ??I hope Serco are satisfied that the Euro Hostel is an appropriate place."
In 2012 the Home Office awarded the contract for housing asylum seekers to private security giant Serco.
The proposals to house the asylum seekers at Balmore Road had faced opposition by local residents with over 700 objections made, many of them claiming the site was unsuitable.
These concerns had been echoed by the Scottish Refugee Council (SRC) who said in a statement that ??there is a pressing need to find a housing solution.....without sacrificing the specific needs and vulnerabilities of people who have been through horrendous experiences."
The charity said the proposals did ??not meet these principles".
A report by the SRC released in August 2014 identified widespread problems with the quality of accommodation provided to people seeking asylum in Scotland.
The report, studying a 12 month time period, found that concerns were raised about; a lack of adequate heating or hot water, filthy or infested properties, no locks on doors, families having to share accommodation with strangers and a lack of respect shown by housing provider staff towards asylum seekers.
A Home Office spokesman said: ??The UK has a proud history of granting asylum to those who need it and we are committed to providing safe and secure accommodation while cases are considered.??
??Our housing providers have a duty to supply accommodation to an agreed standard and the Home Office has robust mechanisms in place to monitor standards.??
A spokesman for the contractors Serco refused to comment.
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