00:00Mary Morris House on Shire Oak Road in Headingley is currently occupied by fee-paying students at universities across Leeds.
00:08Although Leeds City Council did not own the property, they have received a planning submission from the Home Office,
00:13which is part of wider central government efforts to reduce the reliance on hotel use for those seeking asylum.
00:21They have applied to use the 247-bed block of flats to house asylum seekers,
00:26and the Council has informed local residents groups of the potential change in occupancy,
00:32saying it's committed to further engagement with the community on the matter.
00:36A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said Leeds is a welcoming city,
00:40which has been built on the values of tolerance, unity and respect for one another,
00:45and they remain committed to upholding those values.
00:48As set out on Leeds' public access planning system,
00:52the Home Office is seeking a Certificate of Proposed Lawful Development,
00:56in relation to Mary Morris House.
00:59This certificate is a legal document that confirms a proposed use of land or a building is lawful,
01:05and does not require an application for planning permission.
01:08The award or otherwise of such a certificate is based solely on factual evidence and planning law,
01:14not the planning merit of the proposed use.
01:17The submission is currently being considered by Council officers,
01:21with a decision expected at some point in October.
01:24If approved, Mary Morris House will be permitted to provide accommodation for non-students.
01:30There's been a mixed reaction from current residents and other property owners on the street.
01:36The Home Office have said they will continue to work with partners across all regions and nations of the UK
01:41to manage the use of asylum accommodation responsibly.
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