The Home Office has backed away from controversial plans to use a block of flats in Fareham to house asylum seekers.

Fareham Borough Council says it has been notified by the Home Office has decided not to proceed with its proposal to procure Wates House in Fareham to accommodate asylum seekers.   
 
The council has previously raised concerns regarding the proposal with the Home Office, as have other parties, including the police and the local MP.

A council spokesperson says it has spent months working quietly in the background through the correct channels to achieve this desired outcome.
 
Cllr Simon Martin, Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: "I am delighted that the Home Office has listened to the Council’s advice and now withdrawn its interest in this site."

READ MORE: Plans to house asylum seekers in Fareham raises concerns

Concerns had previously been voiced to the council regarding the plan's potential effect on community safety, cohesion, the location of the building and increased pressures on services.

Additionally, the MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, Suella Braverman, has also hit out at the plan for the 27-flat block in the past, calling the move "entirely inappropriate".

She said using Wates House would “place pressure on local services and potentially pose a public safety risk” – raising concerns over antisocial behaviour, pressure on public services and a lack of consideration for locals.

She also claimed the building’s fire safety provisions were “wholly inadequate” and, with the issue being of the “gravest concern”, did not want anyone being subject to that risk.

The former home secretary started a petition calling on the Conservative-controlled Fareham Borough Council to purchase the block to stop the current government from purchasing it.

READ MORE: Campaigners protest migrant plans for Fareham flat block

A little over a month ago, dozens of people attended a protest against the plans on a footbridge outside the flats.

Around 50 people were seen at the protest over a bridge near the flats, which was also attended by a handful of police officers.

Banners reading ‘say no to illegal immigrants at Wates House’ and ‘men don’t flee war, there is no war in France’ were held and draped over the bridge by campaigners.