Waterlooville, a quiet southern town in Hampshire that’s seen better days, is now facing a storm of controversy.
Already struggling with empty storefronts and dwindling footfall, locals are now reacting with frustration and fear after plans leaked suggesting a migrant hotel could soon open above a row of shuttered shops in the town centre.
And here’s the kicker—it’s all happening without their input.
New Hotel Plans Spark Anger Over Lack of Consultation
The Home Office is reportedly looking to move 35 asylum seekers into a recently converted block of flats called Waterloo House.
These flats sit above what used to be a bustling clothing store, now operating as a bric-a-brac shop called The Junk Emporium.
What’s got residents really upset? The council wasn’t even properly informed.
Apparently, the consultation documents were sent to the wrong email address.
As a result, many locals feel completely blindsided by a plan that could significantly change the makeup of their town.
From Buzzing High Street to “Zombieland”
Waterlooville’s high street has suffered greatly in recent years.
Once home to well-known retailers like Waitrose, Wilko, and Peacocks, it’s now a shell of its former self.
Most of the shopping traffic has shifted to a nearby retail park, leaving the town centre eerily quiet.
One of the few surviving spots is a Wetherspoons.
But with little else to draw people in, some residents fear the introduction of asylum seekers—particularly without community preparation—will bring more disorder than development.
Locals Voice Fears for Safety and Fairness
Many residents say they’re not opposed to migrants outright, but they feel the plan is being imposed without transparency or concern for the locals’ wellbeing.
Steve, a 58-year-old lifelong resident and grandfather, said he’s especially worried for his 13-year-old granddaughter.
“She wants to go out on the high street like any teen, but now I’d be nervous,” he said.
“This could bring trouble—for them and for us.”
Jdarno Osborne, a mother of six with children who have medical needs, is also upset.
After years of struggling in overcrowded housing, she finds it hard to watch new arrivals be offered modern flats so quickly.
“It’s like our own people don’t matter anymore,” she said.
Local Shops Already Feeling the Fallout
Even before any official move has been made, the controversy is impacting businesses.
A worker at The Junk Emporium said customers are already staying away—assuming the shop has something to do with the housing plans.
“We’ve had calls, questions, even fewer customers.
People think we’re involved somehow, but we just rent the space.”
She added that the only thing they’ve heard from the property owners is that the flats won’t house single men, but families instead.
Still, the shop worries about what might happen if protests turn violent.
Former Soldiers, Pigeon Breeders, and Angry Parents Join the Opposition
Others are echoing similar worries. Sid Conroy, a 68-year-old retired Airbus worker who now breeds racing pigeons, believes the plan is a recipe for disaster.
“There’ll be fights, I can already see it,” he warned.
He also raised a sentiment that’s becoming more common: frustration over housing wait times for locals.
“People here wait years, then someone new shows up and gets a flat immediately. How is that fair?”
Protest, Politics, and a Petition
As emotions run high, the issue has turned political. Local MP and former Home Secretary Suella Braverman has launched a petition to block the hotel from going ahead, calling the proposal “utterly inappropriate.”
She argues such plans are turning town centres into “no-go zones.”
Her petition has already gathered close to 10,000 signatures.
Council Admits Communication Breakdown
Havant Borough Council, which oversees Waterlooville, admitted there was a serious error in the consultation process.
Councillor Phil Munday, the Labour council leader, expressed frustration, saying the Home Office’s partner Clearsprings sent vital information to the wrong contact and didn’t follow up.
Still, he criticized Braverman for using the issue for “headline-grabbing” and urged residents to remain calm and allow the council to handle the matter responsibly.
He also reminded everyone that those being housed are asylum seekers—not illegal immigrants—and deserve a fair process.
Mixed Reactions in the Community
While many are clearly worried, not everyone in town is against the plan.
A local special needs teacher, who chose to remain anonymous, said the outrage feels misplaced.
“A lot of the anger is being dumped on people just trying to find safety.
I’ve worked with asylum seekers—they’re human, and they’ve lived through horrors we can’t imagine.”
She also worries more about the protests than the migrants. “People say it’ll be peaceful, but I don’t think it will.
The protests could make things worse for everyone.”
Young Voices Weigh In
Even teenagers like 14-year-old Harry are weighing in. He spends time on the high street with friends and admits he’d probably feel “a bit cautious” if the flats above filled with young men he didn’t know.
His mum, Nikki Woodley, echoed others’ concerns about children’s safety.
“It’s not that they’re all bad people, but we don’t know anything about them.”
A Tense Wait for a Final Decision
As of late July 2025, the UK is housing around 32,000 asylum seekers in hotels, and over 20,000 migrants have crossed the Channel in small boats this year.
Waterlooville is now waiting for a final decision, expected by August 1st, following a 10-day extension granted to allow proper consultation.
In the meantime, residents remain divided—some furious, some fearful, and some simply wishing the conversation had started earlier.
Whether the flats will become homes for asylum seekers or not, one thing’s clear: Waterlooville’s community wants a voice in shaping its future.