Blackpool MP shuts down latest migrant claims about former DWP site
Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has shut down the latest rumours that former DWP building Mexford House is to be turned into accommodation for migrants.
Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has shut down the latest rumours that former DWP building Mexford House is to be turned into accommodation for migrants.
Work is currently underway to transform the huge former civil servant site into 120 flats after permission was granted by planners at Blackpool Council two years ago.
The latest claims about the building, on Mexford Avenue in the southern end of Bispham, have appeared on a local social media site this week.
Comments made
Additionally, the Blackpool Gazette was contacted by a man who said he worked at the site and had been told it was “reportedly being renovated into new migrant accommodation.”
The man , who did not wish to be named, said: “When we enquired about prices (of the flats) to one of the site managers he explained to us that they are not for sale, as the owners bought this for £1.8m and it will be accommodation for migrants.”
He added that this contradicted previous comments by Mr Webb that the asylum seekers would not be moved elsewhere in Blackpool after they leave their current accommodation in the Metropole Hotel in July.
But Labour member Mr Webb today slammed the various comments about migrants this week as fake news.
What Mr Webb says
He said: “There are absolutely no plans to increase asylum dispersal accommodation in Blackpool. I was categorically assured of that directly by the Home Office when I secured the closure of the Metropole.
“The rumours about Mexford House have been circulating for years and have repeatedly been proven false. What we are seeing now is the far right desperately trying to create another scary story after losing their campaign around the Metropole.
“It says everything that some groups are still planning protests outside the Metropole even though the hotel will no longer be housing asylum seekers. Local people deserve facts, not fear mongering
“My focus remains on ensuring the Metropole is restored to its proper role as part of Blackpool’s tourism economy and on delivering what residents actually care about – decent jobs, safer communities and investment in our town.”
In June 2024, a planning application for the “use of premises (Mexford House) as 120 self contained flats with associated parking, access, bike store and bin store” was approved by planners at Blackpool Council, with a number of conditions.
This scheme replaced an earlier application which involved a smaller number of flats, some 78 apartments, reduced from a still earlier scheme for 87 homes.
Planning documents showed the building would retain its three floors under the new plans, with each floor containing a variety of flats.
The application was submitted on behalf of Manchester-based Mexford Group Ltd, understood to be the owners of the property.
It is not the first time that claims have been made about migrants being moved to large-scale properties in Blackpool.
There were similar claims about another hulking former civil servant hub, Warbreck House, and more recently, persistent claims about the Norbreck Castle Hotel.
But last month the Norbreck owners, Britannia Hotels, issued a statement, saying: “We are aware of recent speculation regarding the use of the Norbeck Castle Hotel.
“We would like to clarify that the hotel is not being used to accommodate asylum seekers or for any related government housing program.”
The Home Office was approached for a comment about the claims that Mexford House was to be used to house migrants.
The Mexford Group could not be contacted.