New migrant housing site rumours false, says MP

Blackpool South MP Chris Webb has shut down the latest rumours that former DWP building Mexford House is to be turned into accommodation for asylum seekers.

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.

"There are absolutely no plans to increase asylum dispersal accommodation in Blackpool," Webb said. "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," he said.

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 78 apartments, reduced from 87 homes.

The application was submitted on behalf of Manchester-based Mexford Group Ltd, understood to be the owner 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 former civil service hub, Warbreck House, and more recently, claims about the Norbreck Castle Hotel.

The Metropole Hotel, near the North Pier on Blackpool Promenade, was commissioned under the previous Conservative government to house asylum seekers for three months in 2021 - but continued to be used until this year.

Webb had campaigned for the contract to end, citing safety concerns for vulnerable families and strain on local services.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service approached the Mexford Group for comment.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.