Plans to use a sheltered housing site in Farnham Royal as accommodation for asylum seekers are being withdrawn and ‘will not be going ahead’, according to a statement from the landlord.

In recent weeks, there has been widespread speculation that Verdon Court in Bishops Orchard would be used to house asylum seekers.

This led to crowds attending a Farnham Royal Parish Council meeting on Monday, March 23 to voice their objections.

The site, which according to Savills comprises 26 one-bedroom flats (previously used as a sheltered housing scheme) and a three-bedroom house, was sold for £4million in December to an unnamed buyer.

The Home Office is responsible for deciding on locations for asylum seeker accommodation and when previously approached by the Express, a spokesperson did not confirm or deny that the site would be used for this purpose, as per its policy.

The speculation led to strong objections being voiced by key figures including the area’s MP Joy Morrissey and Buckinghamshire councillor David Moore (Con, Farnham & Stoke Poges).

A petition was also set up which had more than 1,000 signatures. Verdon Court was also vandalised, with a number of its windows smashed.

However, on Friday, March 27, in a post on social media, Cllr Moore said the ‘Home Office asylum accommodation proposal for Verdon Court’ is ‘being withdrawn and will not be going ahead’.

He said the landlord’s agent had issued an official statement to the council.

The statement said: “We wish to make clear that the Home Office application in respect of asylum accommodation at Verdon Court is being withdrawn.

“There are no current or future plans to use Verdon Court to house asylum seekers.

“We recognise the concern this matter has caused locally and hope this clarification provides reassurance to residents.

“Refurbishment works at the property will continue while alternative and more appropriate uses, including social housing, are considered.

“We also strongly condemn the recent criminal damage to the property and are cooperating with the police.”

In his post Cllr Moore added: “This is the right decision. Residents made their voices heard loudly and clearly, and I want to thank everyone who raised concerns lawfully and peacefully.

“I have opposed this proposal from the outset and have worked closely with Joy Morrissey MP, fellow unitary ward councillors Dev Dhillon and Thomas Hogg, residents and Buckinghamshire Council to press the case against it.

“I also want to be clear that there must now be no further disruption for residents.

“The community has been through enough over recent days and now needs calm, certainty and reassurance.”

MP Joy Morrissey also posted the landlord’s statement and added in her post: “Local residents were right to raise concerns, and I want to thank everyone who took the time to contact me and make their voices heard.

“I also welcome the landlords’ commitment to work with the police to ensure those responsible for damaging the property are held accountable.

“The Home Office has serious questions to answer for the uncertainty and anxiety caused in our community over recent weeks.

“Let me be absolutely clear: as your MP, I will always stand up for our area and oppose the use of local sites for asylum accommodation.”

A Home Office spokesperson previously said: “We are reforming our asylum system to restore order and control to Britain’s borders.

“Measures include reducing incentives for illegal migrants to travel to the UK, such as revoking the legal duty to provide asylum-seeker support, including housing.”

Verdon Court will not be used as accommodation for asylum seekers, the Home Office has confirmed.

Buckinghamshire Council has also been contacted for comment.