THE Mayor of Andover, Cllr Richard Rowles, has stated he is “100 per cent against” recently revealed plans to house asylum seekers in temporary accommodation near the town.

A piece of land belonging to the Ministry of Defence near the A303 at Barton Stacey is being considered for a temporary holding facility for assylum seekers whilst their applications are processed, the home office has confirmed.

Speaking in his capacity as a Test Valley Borough Council representative for Winton war, Cllr Rowles said his objection was purely about the location of the site, rather than the type of accommodation or people housed there.

He posted to Facebook this morning (Sunday, December 13): “I am 100 per cent against this camp in its location unless proposals meet planning regulations, because quite simply it is not appropriate for a rural location.

“In terms of planning as it were a regular proposal to build houses for people it would effectively be a settlement in its own right with no existing infrastructure.

“If the plans change and they should be brought to TVBC I reserve the right to make a final decision in the planning committee as a member, however based on the proposal it appears inappropriate.”

He added: “As far as I am concerned it has nothing to do with who is housed there or the method of housing in container housing, or other contemporary housing. There are many amazing examples of contemporary housing solutions in our and other countries, however almost all of them are in urban locations. To build this in this location would be inappropriate.”

Cllr Rowles said he wanted to assure residents of Andover and surrounding villages that he is “voicing the concerns of residents to the appropriate authorities.”

It comes after borough council leader Cllr Phil North and MP Caroline Nokes, a former immigration minister herself, launched a petition calling on the Home Office to abandon its plans.