Fresh anti-migrant protests have broken out amid plans to house asylum seekers at a new apartment development in Hampshire.
More than 1,000 protesters gathered in Waterlooville last night amid plans to house 35 people in £250,000 flats above shops in the town.
Flats will reportedly accommodate couples, or single parents with young children, with one single flat used to house a single woman.
It comes after former Conservative Home Secretary Suella Braverman labelled the Home Office’s plans “utterly inappropriate”.
But Havant Borough Council's leader, Phil Munday, has accused the MP for Fareham and Waterlooville of trying to “exacerbate fear”.
A consultation is due to end on Friday, after which the Home Office will decide whether to approve the proposed accommodation.
Residents waving England fans were seen singing and dancing during the demonstration yesterday, while chants of “send them home” could also be heard.
In a letter to current Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Braverman described the proposals as “insulting to local people”.
The MP said these facilities make town centres “no-go zones for the patriotic, common-sense majority”.
"This plan will dump further pressure on policing, healthcare and public infrastructure, all while ignoring the legitimate concerns of residents who have been left voiceless,” she added.
Havant Borough Council said it would do its utmost to reflect the view of residents when submitting its response to the Home Office during the consultation.
Protester Nicola Lattimer told the BBC: "We've had enough of the government, they just are not listening to anybody."
Sue Johnston questioned what Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s “end game” was for “all these immigrants he’s letting in.”
In a post on social media following the protest, Suella Braverman said: “Very proud of the people of Waterlooville tonight.
“To the thousands of local people who peacefully protested, you speak for millions. Zero offences, arrests and no disorder. You’re not far-right.
“You just love our country and are willing to stand up for it. Thank you. To the Home Office and Havant Borough Council, we say: no.
“Thank you to the police for keeping everyone safe.”
Very proud of the people of Waterlooville tonight.
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) July 30, 2025
To the thousands of local people who peacefully protested, you speak for millions.
Zero offences, arrests and no disorder. You’re not far-right. You just love our country and are willing to stand up for it. Thank you.
To the… https://t.co/lNAoWLd843
Councillor Phil Munday said on Monday: “Having received the petition from Suella Braverman, I am yet again concerned with her repeated use of inaccurate language in her supporting letter which only seeks to exacerbate fear in the hearts and minds of our concerned residents.
“Repeated reference to illegal immigrants and unwanted men flames fears when we know as a matter of fact all users of the proposed accommodation are supported asylum seekers.
“Furthermore, the proposed use – as I discussed in depth with the Home Office personally – is that the accommodation would be used by a mix of families and individuals.
“This is a marked difference to the quite frankly offensive remarks that the proposed use of the site is to solely house dangerous single men of detriment to the borough.”
