The Home Office has confirmed that a hotel in Hornchurch will not be housing asylum seekers.

Hornchurch and Upminster MP Julia Lopez shared a letter dated yesterday (February 19) on X, formerly Twitter, from minister Tom Pursglove after rumours over the possibility of the Palms Hotel in Southend Arterial Road being used for the purpose.

Mr Pursglove stated that there are no such plans, adding the procurement of new asylum hotels is being stopped.

Another hotel in Romford that was used as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers had its contract terminated by the Home Office in mid-January.

Romford Recorder: MP Julia LopezMP Julia Lopez (Image: Parliament)

A spokesperson for Ms Lopez said she had engaged with the Home Office on the matter and had received verbal assurances in the past that the hotel is not being considered for this use.

Ms Lopez posted: "Thank you to residents who brought to my attention rumours circulating on social media about Palms Hotel.

"This letter confirms what’s been said to me and my team verbally - the Home Office is not procuring new asylum hotels and there are no plans to use Palms as asylum accommodation."

In August 2021, the Recorder had reported that similar proposals for the hotel were shelved after an outcry by Havering politicians.

Ms Lopez said then that the hotel had not passed safety checks and was "inappropriate for young families".

The hotel, which has previously been found to be non-compliant on fire safety measures, was said to be undergoing refurbishment last July.

The site appears to have been taken over by a new company - Palms Hotel London Ltd -  on February 9.

The Recorder has contacted a director of the company for comment.