I’ve received a large amount of correspondence from Rhoose residents regarding speculation that the Holiday Inn Express Hotel will be used to house Afghans. Many of these residents have expressed concern about silence from authorities and elected representatives, that has allowed an information vacuum to develop.
They have, therefore, asked me to communicate the action I am taking to clarify the situation and to address the community’s concerns. This is a reasonable request.
Of the emails I received, several expressed concern about speculation regarding pressures on local schools. Some were from teaching staff themselves. One alleged that at least some staff had, some weeks ago, been informed children housed at the Hotel would be sent to Rhws Primary School and South Point Primary School. They also claim they were told to keep this information “hush hush”.
Another staff member claimed that recent redundancies have placed huge pressures on resources at Rhws Primary School. Understandably, they are concerned that if the speculation is correct, this would exacerbate this problem.
Other correspondence I have received suggests the above speculation is widespread within the village. It is important things are clarified urgently. While I make no comment on the veracity of the claims that have been made, it is clear they are being speculated upon widely and openly. I therefore consider it appropriate to inform residents that I have put these questions to the local authority.
I have still not received a response from the MOD. This is unacceptable. Residents rightly expect openness and transparency. If the speculation is not true, the MOD should have issued a statement refuting it. Their failure to do so is leading to further questions.
Given these circumstances, I believe it is important to communicate the work I’m doing as an elected member representing the community to address the issue.
A copy of the letter I’ve sent to the Vale of Glamorgan Council can be found below. As soon as I’ve received a response, I will update residents. Given the ongoing speculation, I’ve requested that this is issued in a prompt and timely manner.
I reiterate my previous position that, if the speculation is correct, using the Hotel in the manner suggested will place huge pressures on local services. This is not at all fair on local residents. It would, effectively, have been imposed with no consultation or dialogue with the community. This is unacceptable.
I reiterate my position that the Hotel is not suitable for providing any form of long term accommodation. It is designed for airport passengers staying a maximum of one night. Guests of this nature place no pressures on the community at all. The speculated use would have very different consequences.
Please be assured I will continue to communicate with and stand up for the interests of local residents. I am in public life because I care about the Vale of Glamorgan and Bridgend. I will always put our communities first.
Cllr Lis Burnett
Leader, Vale of Glamorgan Council
30th July 2025
Dear Cllr Burnett
Re: Speculation surrounding the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, Rhoose
I write with regard to the above. As you will probably be aware, there has, in the past few days, been considerable speculation locally that the above site will, in the near future, be used to house Afghans. I have written to the Ministry of Defence requesting clarification if this is the case. At the time of writing, I have not received a response.
I have, unsurprisingly, received considerable correspondence from constituents regarding this matter. It is unacceptable that an information vacuum has been allowed to develop. To the best of my knowledge, no public statement has been issued by the MOD addressing this speculation.
The correspondence I have received includes emails from staff at local schools. These allege that the speculation is true. They also claim that school staff had, some weeks ago, been informed that children housed at the Hotel would be sent to Rhws Primary School and South Point Primary School. One staff member alleges that they have been told to keep this information, I quote, “hush hush”.
Another staff member has claimed that, in the past six months, there have been redundancies at Rhws Primary School due to budget shortfalls. They state this has resulted in the loss of “two good members of staff”. They have, therefore, expressed understandable concerns regarding the pressures that accepting further pupils will potentially create.
I would therefore be grateful if you would clarify the following:
- Is the Council aware of any plans by the MOD or any other government department to use the Holiday Inn Express in Rhoose to house Afghans?
- Are the claims that children housed at the Hotel will or may be sent to either Rhws Primary School or South Point Primary School correct?
- Are the claims that school staff have been instructed to keep the matter quiet correct?
- Are the claims that there have been staff redundancies at Rhws Primary School correct?
- Are there budget shortfalls at either Rhws Primary School or South Point Primary School?
- If claims that additional children housed at the Holiday Inn Express may be accepted onto either school’s respective roll are accurate, what action has the Council taken to mitigate the additional pressures this will place on resources?
A large proportion of the correspondence I have received from residents in relation to this matter has expressed serious concerns regarding the lack of communication from authorities and elected representatives. Openness, transparency and clarity are essential. Residents have told me they expect representatives to communicate the action they are taking regarding this matter with the community. A prompt response would therefore be appreciated.
If the speculation is correct, using the Hotel for the suggested purpose will put considerable pressure on local services that are already stretched. As such, it would be unacceptable for the decision to have been taken without any consultation, or dialogue with, local residents.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this correspondence. If necessary, please treat it as a request under the Freedom of Information Act.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Andrew RT Davies MS
South Wales Central Regional MS