PLANS to build a holding facility for up to 500 asylum seekers near the A303 have been abandoned by the Home Office.

A piece of Ministry of Defence land south of the A303, near Barton Stacey, had been earmarked for the construction of portacabin-style accommodation for asylum seekers primarily from Iran, Iraq, Sudan and Eritrea.

The Home Office had claimed that it would be providing safe accommodation for people who otherwise would have been “destitute”.

But concerns about the plans were raised by politicians, residents and human rights groups - with Cllr Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, saying the site was “akin to an open prison” and was concerned about residents walking along the busy A303, causing road safety issues.

Almost 3,500 people signed a petition against it, supported by Cllr North and MP Caroline Nokes.

Reacting to the news, Cllr North said he was “relieved”, and added: “I’m delighted that the Home Office have concluded what we suggested all along, that this site is not a viable option.”

Ms Nokes said: “I know this decision will be welcomed by the Barton Stacey and Longparish Parish Councils as well as the hundreds of residents who had been in touch with me.”

A Home Office spokesperson confirmed that the government department had dropped the plans at Barton Stacey but said that it will “continue to use our other contingency accommodation to ensure we continue to meet our statutory obligations towards destitute asylum seekers”.

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