The leader of West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) has written to the Home Secretary to demand answers regarding closure dates for the asylum hotels in the area.

Councillor Mark Arnull has expressed his concerns that, despite the Home Office stating the use of hotels is temporary and reliance on them will be reduced, WNC have received no confirmed closure dates nor clear explanation of next steps.

Currently the Ibis in Crick, MK Hotel in Deanshanger and Holiday Inn in Flore are all being used as asylum accommodation, which has caused concern and unrest among some nearby residents.

Since Reform took control of WNC in May 2025, the council has been looking into taking legal steps against the owners of the hotels as the locations “have never been suitable”.

Mark Arnull, Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council, is demanding answers on the hotels in West Northamptonshire currently being used as asylum accommodation.

placeholder image — Mark Arnull, Reform UK leader of West Northamptonshire Council, is demanding answers on the hotels in West Northamptonshire currently being used as asylum accommodation.

Cllr Arnull said: “Nationally, ministers continue to state that the use of hotels is temporary and that reliance on them will be reduced. Locally, however, councils like ours are left in the dark. Residents are expected to tolerate open-ended arrangements with no clarity; local services are expected to absorb pressures without warning; and council leaders are expected to answer questions without being given the basic facts.

“This is not sustainable governance. The continued lack of confirmed closure dates for West Northamptonshire undermines public confidence, fuels speculation and misinformation, and places local leaders in an impossible position.”

Cllr Arnull has requested the Home Secretary provide confirmed or target closure dates for each hotel in West Northamptonshire, along with a clear explanation of what conditions would justify any extension beyond those dates.

He added: “Our local communities have shown patience, but that patience is not unlimited. It is not unreasonable for residents and their elected representatives to expect openness, clear timelines, and an end to indefinite arrangements imposed without consent.”

The council says it has made it clear that it will continue to pursue all routes including planning enforcement.

Planning Contravention Notices were issued to the hotel owners in September, as the council says it believes a breach of planning control has occurred.

A WNC spokesman added that it is “actively progressing through the complex legal process required to consider formal enforcement action”.