"BBC Planning rules could further delay Home Office moves to house about 300 asylum seekers at a military base in Scotland, it has emerged. MSPs Fergus Ewing and Edward Mountain say under Scottish law, Highland Council would need to approve a change of use of Inverness' Cameron Barracks from a barracks to a hostel - if it is to be used for longer than six months."
""Genuine concerns have been expressed, not borne of racism, but of concerns of community safety, and they are fairly widely held in Inverness. "I've discovered that it appears almost certain that the Home Office cannot proceed unless they first obtain planning permission for change of use of the barracks, from a barracks to a hotel/hostel." He added: "They may be labouring under a misapprehension because in England, they wouldn't need planning permission to use any barracks for 12 months.""
Scottish planning rules could require Highland Council to approve a change of use for Inverness' Cameron Barracks if the site is used for longer than six months. Highland Council believes a house in multiple occupancy (HMO) licence is needed and has not yet determined whether separate planning permission is required. The Home Office initially planned to move about 300 asylum seekers to the barracks by early December for 12 months, but those plans have been delayed. The UK government says discussions are ongoing and the site's suitability is being assessed. MSPs note Scotland allows six months emergency use without planning permission, unlike England.
Read at www.bbc.com
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