By GB News (Politics) | Created at 2026-08-11 17:26:59 | Updated at 2026-08-11 18:13:34
1 hour ago
A Welsh villager has pleaded with the Labour Government for "transparency" after a family of asylum seekers were moved into a new build home without being informed.
Speaking to GB News, Gray Hawley revealed that the locals in the village of Gronant, Flintshire, were under the impression the renovated village hall would become available to residents on the public market.
Mr Hawley explained: "I found out on Friday, and we've got Councillor Glyn Banks to do a meeting this week to try and sort things.
"But the way things have been brought about to people around here, no one knows nothing about it. We found out things got delivered over time, bunk beds, all of these kind of things, and it's just give us all a shock."
Mr Hawley admitted that most of the information the villagers have about the asylum accommodation is through "social media", as they haven't been formally told by any authority.
He told GB News: "We know that a family moved in not long ago, a couple of days ago, but all we know is what everyone else knows on social media, that's how we're finding out things.
"The new builds are perfect for families around here, there's people living on the streets around here.
"Residents are angry about it because these people get told there's no properties available for locals around here, but then something like this can pop up, and what we want is answers."
Welsh village resident Gray Hawley highlighted the lack of information given to locals regarding new asylum accommodation
GB NEWS / FACEBOOK / EXPOSING BROKEN BRITAIN
Expressing the concern of locals, Mr Hawley stressed the village holds a small population of 1,600 people, and they "don't want to see it ruined".
He said: "A lot of us are quite concerned about the lack of transparency of it all. There's people being accommodated locally while asylum claims are being processed.
"It's a small little village, about 1600 people, and it backs on to a seaside town, Prestatyn. It is lovely, anyone who's been round here. The coast here is a little bit of paradise, and it's a holiday hotspot for many, many people.
"We're an hour's drive from Snowdonia, we've got the beach, we've got the mountains and a lot of residents. We don't want to see things ruined around here."
The former village hall has been restored to house asylum seekers
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Mr Hawley revealed that after hosting a local meeting to discuss the situation, no councillors from the local area turned up to speak with the residents.
He said: "As soon as I found out there was a meeting taking place and nothing's being done about it, I took it upon myself to start something, and for two days' notice, the numbers which turned up we couldn't be more happy about.
"A lot of residents got their points across, but we were really unhappy that no councillors turned up. But we got to give email addresses out to different people so they can also, as residents, put it straight to the council and try and get this resolved.
"But at the moment it's just a waiting game, waiting for Councillor Glyn Banks to find out what goes on at this meeting, because at the moment we're all in limbo."
Mr Hawley told GB News that locals are hoping for 'transparency' from the Government on the asylum accommodation
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Becoming emotional, Mr Hawley stressed there are local families which are "homeless" that he would love to see be housed in the new builds.
He concluded: "All the people want is transparency. We want to know what sort of people we're going to be putting into our village. If it's fighting-age men, then no, but if it's families and stuff, we're open arms.
"To be honest, I'd rather our house own people around here, the locals who have been looking for houses. I know quite a few people who have been made homeless, and they've had to stay in a hotel, which is really bad.
"And because they're families with kids, they have to stay there because they've got no houses to give, and then something like this happens and it's really upsetting people."
A Flintshire County Council spokesman said: "As part of the UK Government's national asylum dispersal scheme, the Home Office is procuring accommodation in Flintshire and across the UK to meet the needs of individuals and families seeking asylum.
"This UK Government initiative is being delivered by the Home Office, with the council required to support the process through local coordination and service planning.
"This accommodation will support a group of families who have arrived in the UK seeking safety and protection. These people are currently awaiting decisions on their asylum claims in accordance with UK and international law.
"They are not illegal immigrants; they are individuals exercising their legal right to claim asylum and deserve to be treated with compassion and respect.
"Funding to support these placements, including education and healthcare provision, is being provided by the UK Government through dedicated asylum dispersal funding mechanisms.
"Flintshire County Council will remain in regular contact with the Home Office, procurement partners, and other relevant agencies."
