Asylum seeker barracks plans could face further delays

Planning rules could further delay Home Office moves to house about 300 asylum seekers at a military base in Scotland, it has emerged.

MSPs Fergus Ewing and Edward Mountain say under Scottish law, Highland Council would need to approve a change of use of Inverness' Cameron Barracks from a barracks to a hostel - if it is to be used for longer than six months.

Highland Council said it believed a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) licence was needed, but it had still to determine whether planning permission was also required.

The Home Office originally wanted to move asylum seekers to the barracks by early December and use the site for 12 months, but the plans were delayed.

On Thursday, the UK government said discussions were being held on the use of Cameron Barracks, and it was currently assessing its suitability.

Ewing, independent MSP for Inverness and Nairn, told BBC Scotland News there were local concerns around the use of Cameron Barracks.

He said: "Genuine concerns have been expressed, not borne of racism, but of concerns of community safety, and they are fairly widely held in Inverness.

"I've discovered that it appears almost certain that the Home Office cannot proceed unless they first obtain planning permission for change of use of the barracks, from a barracks to a hotel/hostel."

He added: "They may be labouring under a misapprehension because in England, they wouldn't need planning permission to use any barracks for 12 months."

Highlands and Islands Conservative MSP Edward Mountain has also looked into the planning rules.

"The law in Scotland is quite clear - for emergency use you can only use an establishment for six months without planning permission.

"In England it's different, it's longer."

Highland Council said it believed the barracks would need to be licensed as an HMO.

Usually, an HMO is a property rented out by at least unrelated people who share the bathroom or toilet and kitchen.

A licence can last for three years.

Highland Council said: "We have had initial discussions with the Home Office on this, but we have not received an HMO licence application to date.

"We are awaiting confirmation from the Home Office on their specific plans for the site to determine if planning permission is required."

The UK government said it was "furious" at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

A spokesperson said: "This government will close every asylum hotel.

"Work is well underway, with more suitable sites, such as military bases, being brought forward to ease pressure on communities and cut asylum costs.

"We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery."

Last month, the first illegal migrants moved into Crowborough training camp in East Sussex.

In early December, people took part in opposing rallies near the 140-year-old base.

One of the demonstrations was organised by Highlands Against Hate, which supports refugees coming to Scotland, and another involved supporters of anti-illegal immigration group Peterhead United.