Sir Ashley Fox MP has condemned Liberal Democrat, Labour and Reform councillors who voted against a motion at Somerset Council that sought to recognise and respond to growing housing pressures in Burnham-on-Sea and across the county.
The motion called for the Government to acknowledge Somerset’s unique circumstances—including a high number of asylum accommodation placements—and to provide additional investment to ensure local housing needs are not displaced. It also reaffirmed Somerset Council’s commitment to prioritising local residents for social and affordable housing where legally and practically possible.
Ashley Fox said, “It is frankly astonishing that Liberal Democrat, Reform and Labour councillors voted against a motion that simply called for fairness, planning, and basic common sense. Somerset’s housing is already under huge pressure—from second homes and stalled housebuilding to major infrastructure projects increasing demand. Add to that one of the highest asylum accommodation allocations in the region, and it is clear we need proper support from Government.”
Somerset Council has already acknowledged that asylum dispersal is likely to increase significantly in the coming years, with a recent report stating, “Asylum Dispersal is more cost effective than the use of hotels, and therefore we expect this to be a considerable area of growth in the next few years. This will impact statutory services within the Council such as…housing.”
Ashley Fox added, "Even Somerset Council acknowledges that asylum dispersal will affect statutory services like housing. It’s only right that councillors ask for proper planning and resources to manage that. Ignoring the problem helps no one.”
In advance of the debate, Ashley Fox wrote to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP, calling for the Government to reassess the number of asylum resettlements in Somerset, citing the already stretched housing market and growing pressures from major infrastructure projects like the Gravity campus and Hinkley Point C.
