A COUNCILLOR who slammed proposals to house asylum seekers in Droitwich has welcomed news that refugees will not come to the district in the foreseeable future.
Wychavon district councillor Andrew Christian-Brookes (Con, Lovett) last month said residents' needs should be put first.
He believed townsfolk would be deprived of social housing and services if the council agreed to provide around 22 accommodation units for refugees.
Cllr Christian-Brookes said he wanted asylum seekers housed at reception centres until they were proved to be genuine.
The Government has now said the authority does not need to provide assistance because fewer people are seeking asylum than was anticipated.
A council spokeswoman said: "The Home Office recognised many of Worcestershire's councils did not have the necessary infrastructure or ethnic make up to adequately support refugees.
"Instead, metropolitan councils in the West Midlands are due to sign a contract with the Home Office."
Cllr Christian-Brookes said: "This is good news. The decision will take the burden off Droitwich ratepayers, housing associations and the health authority."
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