The London Borough of Newham has been accused of leaving Hampshire councillors "in the dark" after planning to move hundreds of homeless families across London to a brand new luxury apartment block.
The London council is moving 150 homeless people 40 miles west to the town of Farnborough and will house them in a newly built apartment building, Savoy Place.
The apartments boast panoramic views, elegant furnishings, tasteful wooden flooring, fully fitted brand-new kitchens and even opulent marble-lined bathrooms.
Speaking to GB News, whistleblower and former Hampshire County Councillor Maurice Sheehan claimed they were "not consulted" on the decision, despite having thousands of locals on their own housing register awaiting their placements.
Maurice Sheehan hit out at Newham Council for 'not consulting' Hampshire County Council about the decision
GB News
Sheehan told Martin Daubney: "We were really surprised to actually discover that these negotiations had been going on between Newham and the developer, particularly in our own area in Rushmoor, where we've got 2,000 people waiting for housing on our housing register.
"So there's enormous pressure there. House prices are really expensive, young people are struggling to get on the housing ladder, and yet suddenly a London borough with all its wealth can come down and just buy or lease this accommodation."
When asked if there has been any form of impact assessment on local services in the town, Sheehan stressed that those are the key factors his council is "very concerned about".
Sheehan explained: "We're not aware of any impact assessment having been done so far. I am aware of concerns which have been raised at Hampshire County Council who provide these services, but these services locally are already overstretched.
The luxury apartments will house thousands of homeless families from London
Savoy Estates
"People have got to wait ages for a GP appointment, our local hospital, Frimley Park, is collapsing and has got to be rebuilt. Children's services are also overstretched. So bringing more problem families into the borough, particularly into a building like this, is concerning."
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When asked by Martin if his council has any power to object to the decision, Sheehan admitted that they have "no powers apart from persuasion".
He added: "The building is right at the gateway of Farnborough outside Farnborough station, so anyone arriving in Farnborough, their first impression of Farnborough is going to be this block of flats full of homeless people from East London.
"The local borough council doesn't have any powers at all on that front, other than powers of persuasion, to persuade Newham that this isn't isn't a good mix. But if Newham is determined to take up the lease of this, then they will arrive on our doorstep.
"But it will be our local services, schools, and health care that are affected, and Hampshire County Council are going to have to pick up the influx of these people."
Councillor Maurice Sheehan says Hampshire County Council have 'no power' to reject the move
GB News
A spokesman for Rushmoor Borough Council said in a statement: "Rushmore Borough Council first considered the planning application for this development back in 2015 when planning permission was refused by the council's development management committee on the grounds that it was not a suitable location for family dwellings.
"This was overturned on appeal and the development went ahead. The developers offered to lease the properties to us earlier this year, but at around twice the open market rental value locally, which we did not consider good value for local council taxpayers, the developer is now in negotiations to sign a lease with Newham Council.
"Although we are not in a position to prevent this arrangement, we will take steps to ensure the developers meet all the planning conditions for the building. We will also work hard to ensure that Newham maintains their duty of care towards any of their residents that move there."
