Council criticises transfer of asylum seekers to empty student flats

By Gbam Godwin On Sep 16, 2025

Council criticises transfer of asylum seekers to empty student flats.

The co-leader of Aberdeen City Council has criticized a decision to relocate asylum seekers from hotels to vacant student housing units.

Christian Allard stated that the local council had not been contacted about the proposal to open two former student halls at Farmer’s Hall, near the city centre, as well as buildings on Don Street.

The Home Office stated that it was dedicated to closing “all asylum hotels”.

Last month, many rallies were conducted outside hotels that house asylum seekers in the city. Demonstrations and counter-demonstrations have also occurred in Perth and Falkirk.

Four men, from behind, walking along a pavement, next to yellow fencing. — Asylum seekers are living in a number of hotels across Scotland, including in Westhill in Aberdeenshire

The SNP councillor told BBC Scotland News that the Home Office’s decision was the “wrong move” and that communities should have been consulted.

He stated, “We have a long heritage of receiving refugees from Afghanistan, the Ukraine, and many other places.

“We did an excellent job with that. It has been done properly by consulting with everyone present.

“We’ve been notified, we’ve not been asked, no consultation has happened with Aberdeen City Council, with the communities, with the universities, with student groups.”

It is understood that 300 asylum seekers from Iran, Somalia, and Eritrea were being kept at the Hampton by Hilton hotel in Westhill, Aberdeenshire.

Some have already relocated to Farmer’s Hall, a 150-room private lodging complex in the Rosemount district.

Protesters gathered outside the flats on Friday, and police were also there.

Aerial shot of hotel building with bright panels next to windows, and trees and grass outside, and wider view of town buildings, under a cloudy blue sky.

Allard described it as “strange” to relocate people “from building to building,” and his primary concern was the well-being of Aberdeen residents.

He went on to say, “I believe there is a safety issue, one that affects everyone. For asylum seekers, as well as for everyone else, including students.

“We’ve seen some protesters, more and more, coming into Aberdeen to protest.”

The council co-leader stated that protests had made communities and asylum seekers feel “intimidated” and “threatened,” and asked people not to join in these events.

Seven persons in Aberdeen were arrested for allegedly inciting racial hatred after a protest in Westhill on August 2.

The Home Office stated that the council was involved and informed throughout the process.

A spokeswoman stated, “We have committed to closing all asylum hotels, and to do so, we will look at a variety of more appropriate sites such as disused accommodation, industrial, and ex-military sites to reduce the impact on communities.”

“We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery and more detail will be set out in due course.”

Demonstrators are gathered behind metal barricades, holding signs such as "STOP ISLAMOPHOBIA STOP THE HATE" and "REFUGEES WELCOME," alongside Scottish flags. Police officers are also present at the scene. — Demonstrators gathered outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk

Meanwhile, dozens of protesters and counter-protesters gathered outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk on Saturday.

Both parties carried saltires and other flags, as well as banners with messages like “Stop The Hate” and “Immigration Referendum”.

On Tuesday, a brick was hurled through the glass of the motel that houses asylum seekers.

Similar protests are scheduled in Stobsmuir Park in Dundee, near another student accommodation block where asylum seekers are residing.

Tens of thousands marched in central London, organized by far-right extremist Tommy Robinson. Anti-racism groups also held a counter-protest.