Press Release

12 February 2025

Council’s response to Home Office interest in Wates House, Fareham

Fareham Borough Council is aware that there is misinformation being circulated through leaflets and online via social media channels about the Home Office’s interest in Wates House.  Some of this misinformation suggests that Fareham Borough council is involved in the decision-making around Wates House.  This is absolutely not true. 

The Home Office has advised Fareham Borough Council that it is considering the use of Wates House in Fareham, which is in private ownership and not a Council-owned property, to provide interim accommodation for housing asylum seekers. 

After considering the proposal, Fareham Borough Council has responded to the Home Office, outlining strong concerns and objections on several grounds.  These include community safety and cohesion/settling into the local community, and the proposed location in terms of its proximity to both Wallington Village and existing premises in the town that house and support vulnerable people.  No response to these concerns has yet been received.

This proposal remains very much at the consultation stage.  Hampshire County Council, the police, and the fire service, have also been consulted on this matter.

Fareham Borough Council anticipates further engagement with the Home Office, and indeed a response to the concerns raised, before any final decision is made by the Home Office.  To be absolutely clear Fareham Borough Council has no role in that final decision.

ENDS

For further information contact:

Customer Enquiries

Tel: 01329 236100
Email: customerservicecentre@fareham.gov.uk

Media Enquiries

The Communications Team
Tel: 01329 824310
Email: publicity@fareham.gov.uk
Fax: 01329 550576

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