Local Councillors say rumours about Eskdale School being used to house asylum seekers are totally false.
Whitby's former Eskdale School site is not going to become accommodation for asylum seekers.
Local councillor - Neil Swannick - says rumours about the potential use of the site to house large numbers of asylum seekers are false.
"There was a rumour that beds were being seen to be moved into the unused school building and that it was anticipated that 600 asylum seekers would immediately be moved in and 400 more within the year.
I can assure everybody that is not true.
In fact, the council has gone to great length to deny that rumour
The deputy chief executive wrote to me and wrote to Councillor Trumper and said that we would just like to make absolutely clear that the rumour is totally false."
Councillor Trumper says it wouldn't be possible to use the former school site for such purposes as the site is protected by planning rules and an educational use covenant.
"I received quite a few phone calls from from people who were concerned about Eskdale school.
And that that's why we we needed that information to be corrected.
It is just a rumour. It can't happen.
For several years there is a covenant on Eskdale school and to change the use of Eskdale school you have to go to the Department of Education, and they have to agree to it. And obviously you'd have to get planning permission. There have to be a change of use, et cetera for that to happen.
And that hasn't happened and will not happen because there's no migrants of that type of number coming to Whitby.
Eskdale school is not gonna be turned into a migrant accommodation. It's not going to happen."
Eskdale School iclosed in September 2024 as part of a merger with Caedmon College, a move driven by low pupil numbers, financial pressures, and the need to provide a stronger curriculum for local students.
After the closure, the site was handed back to North Yorkshire Council, with its long-term future yet to be decided. For now, the 3G floodlit pitch on the grounds continues to serve the community, hosting local clubs and providing wider public access.
Whitby And Scarborough Named Among UK's Top Christmas Holiday Spots For 2026
World-Class Cyclists to Race Through The East Riding For Tour Of Britain
Coastal Businesses Face Potential Impact As Preparations Begin For Tourism Tax
North Yorkshire Council Set to Spend £2.43m on New Winter Gritters
Historic Pullman Dining Coach Returns To Service After Decade-Long Restoration
Rescued Seal Pup Treated With Chilled Yorkshire Tea At Scarborough Sea Life Centre
Multimillion-Pound Cost Of New Scarborough Council Offices Revealed
Renewable Geothermal Heat to Warm Pickering and Kirby Misperton
Borehole Drilling to Begin Across Scarborough For Wastewater Upgrades
Green Light For Conversion Of Former Scarborough Army Centre Into Business Park
MP Calls for Better National Support Following RAF Fylingdales Wildfire Threat
Jail for Scarborough Drug Dealer
Comments
Add a comment