Labour council turns blind eye to hotel housing migrants illegally

A Labour-run council is under fire for allowing a historic hotel to house more than 100 asylum seekers unlawfully.

Fownes Hotel in Worcester has been the centre of protests this summer after locals became concerned about migrants living there.

It has emerged the hotel, a former 19th century glove factory, was never granted planning permission to house asylum seekers.

Planning permission is required for a "material change of use" from a hotel to a hostel.

However, no application has been made by the hotel's owners - Border Equity Investments Limited - for such a change of use.

Despite breaking planning law, Worcester City Council has not enforced the breach, instead saying it was "considering where public interest lies."