IT would be unfair on failed asylum seekers to put them in Kirkheaton, a councillor claims.

Clr Rochelle Parchment says the village is too far away from the town centre to be of any help to them.

Her comments come on the day of a public meeting when residents will hear more about a proposal for a night refuge in the village.

A joint project between asylum charity Assure (Asylum Seekers’ Support and Response) and Kirkheaton Parish Church could see one of the church’s building used as a night centre.

The public meeting will take place at Kirkheaton parish hall tonight at 7pm.

Clr Parchment said she had researched the plans and come to the conclusion that this would be the wrong place to provide help to the failed asylum seekers.

She said: “I do not believe that their needs will be met by putting them in an out-of-town location.

“They are not entitled to benefits so to access transport and other amenities will be difficult, it’s just too far away.

“I do not think that this is the right location. They are very vulnerable and we need to be looking at a location closer to the town centre.”

She said that due to their failed asylum status Kirklees Council could not offer the people concerned a tenancy agreement.

“I’ve spoken to council officers to find a solution but it’s unrealistic to expect Kirklees to house them, especially at this time when there is such a long waiting list,” she added.

She also said that if backed, the proposal might need to go to Kirklees planning officers for a change of use.

But she said the location was just too far from the town centre to be of any benefit adding: “I do feel for these people, they are vulnerable but their needs aren’t best met by putting them in Kirkheaton.

“It is quite a distance to the town centre, they’re only being allowed to sleep there, they won’t be able to stay there during the day.

“There’s no cafe, they’ve no money to get into town and it’s quite a walk for them to be able to access the information they need.”

The refuge plans have caused controversy with residents speaking out against the proposal.

The two groups hope to house between two and 10 homeless refugees from 8pm to 8am five nights a week in the church’s old school building.

Kirkheaton Parish Church Vicar, the Rev Richard Steel, said the Church Lane premises were needed to prevent people sleeping rough, with any residents being picked up from Huddersfield and then taken back in the morning.

Tonight’s meeting is open to all.