More than 1,000 residents took to the streets of Waterlooville on Wednesday evening to protest against Home Office plans to house 35 asylum seekers in newly converted flats, with demonstrators waving St George’s flags and singing patriotic songs in what organisers described as a “family friendly” gathering.
The protest erupted after news emerged that the Home Office was considering relocating asylum seekers to Waterloo House, a brand new 19-flat development on London Road, without properly consulting Havant Borough Council. The flats, which could fetch up to £250,000 each at market rates, are owned by Mountley Group, whose director Hersch Schneck also owns a migrant hotel in nearby Cosham.
Portsmouth Councillor George Madgwick, who recently defected from the Portsmouth Independent Party to Reform UK, attended the demonstration and reported “roughly 1500 in attendance” on social media. “No thugs, no issues. Great vibes. Singing. Dancing,” he posted on Facebook, adding: “But the very important underlying tone is people have had enough and the government need to listen. This is now widespread.”
Braverman Leads Opposition
Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, now MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, has spearheaded opposition to the plans, labelling them “utterly inappropriate” and launching a petition that has attracted more than 9,000 signatures. In a letter to current Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Braverman claimed such facilities made town centres “no-go zones for the patriotic, common-sense majority.
The Conservative MP has been particularly vocal in her criticism, stating: “Housing illegal migrants and ‘asylum seekers‘ in Waterlooville town centre is totally wrong. Our local services are already under strain. 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: “Our town has undergone an amazing transformation and become a welcoming place to work, invest, shop, dine and play; decisions such as this will once again make our town centres no go zones for the patriotic, common-sense majority.”
Council Communication Breakdown
Havant Borough Council revealed it had not been properly consulted about the plans after Clearsprings, the property procurement company acting on behalf of the Home Office, used an “incorrect email address” when attempting to contact them in June 2025.
Council leader Phil Munday criticised Braverman’s rhetoric, stating: “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.”
Munday confirmed that following discussions with the Home Office, the accommodation was “best suited for the use of couples, or single parents with young children” rather than the “dangerous single men” described in some opposition materials.
Local Frustrations Boil Over
Protesters voiced multiple concerns about the impact on their community. One resident told reporters that “enough was enough,” citing the dying high street, long housing waiting lists, homelessness and unemployment in the area. Others expressed frustration that migrants were being prioritised over locals struggling to find accommodation.
The protest appeared largely peaceful, with demonstrators singing songs including ‘Sweet Caroline’ and Beatles classics. However, the strength of feeling was evident, with many carrying placards and flags whilst demanding the government reconsider the plans.
Fellow MP Alan Mak, whose Havant constituency includes the southern part of Waterlooville, has also joined the opposition despite the London Road location falling outside his constituency boundaries. He launched his own petition and wrote to both the Home Secretary and Havant Borough Council urging them to “think again and stop their plan.”
Property Developer’s Strategic Move
The earmarked development is owned by Mountley Group, a property development and investment company established in 1998. Industry observers suggest that entering into a deal with Clearsprings could prove more profitable than selling on the open market, as the government could offer guaranteed rates for several years, protecting the developer from market turbulence.
The flats are located above what was once a Peacocks clothing store and before that a Tesco, in what has been described as Waterlooville’s struggling town centre. Some locals have referred to the high street as “Zombieland” due to the number of closed shops.
Essex Police Controversy
The Waterlooville protest comes amid ongoing controversy over police handling of similar demonstrations elsewhere. Essex Police admitted this week to escorting pro-migrant protesters from Stand Up to Racism to the Bell Hotel in Epping on 17 July, where violence subsequently erupted between opposing groups.
The force initially denied facilitating the group’s entry but changed their stance after being shown video evidence. Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper defended the decision, stating police have “a duty to facilitate free assembly” but would only escort protesters away “if we felt there was an immediate threat to people or property.
Ten people were arrested following the Epping unrest, with five charged with violent disorder. The policing of the incidents cost Essex Police over £100,000.
Decision Pending
The Home Office consultation ends on Friday, after which officials will decide whether to approve the proposed accommodation. In a statement on Tuesday, Havant Borough Council confirmed it had received Braverman’s petition and said it would “do its utmost to reflect the view of residents” when submitting its response.
A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun: “We are working to fairly disperse asylum seekers across the country, consulting closely with local authorities and listening to local concerns.
The protest reflects growing tensions over asylum seeker accommodation across the UK, with communities increasingly resistant to what they perceive as inadequate consultation and unfair distribution of housing responsibilities. Wednesday’s demonstration in Waterlooville marks one of the largest such protests in recent months, signalling the depth of local opposition to the government’s dispersal policy.
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