Court injunction limits protests at Llanelli hotel

The Stradey Park Hotel owners, Gryphon Leisure Ltd (part of Sterling Woodrow) went the High Court claiming access to the site had been blocked.

A judge said he wanted to hear from local people before proceeding and he heard evidence from representatives of the Furnace Action Committee and other residents of Furnace village and Llanelli on Thursday afternoon.

Gryphon Leisure Ltd owns the hotel where asylum seekers had been set to arrive on July 10.

It asked the court to impose an “urgent interim injunction” to prevent trespass and obstruction at the site.

Judge Roger ter Haar told the hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice complex in London he was granting the injunction until January 27, 2024.

Access to the hotel will be allowed through a 12-ft-wide corridor from the main road to the hotel gates.

Jenny Wigley KC, who led Gryphon’s legal team, told the judge the firm wanted an “urgent interim injunction” to protect the hotel from the actions of protesters.

Furnace Action Committee spokesman Robert Lloyd said: “We’re very proud of our representatives and other residents of the area who put up an excellent case before the High Court.

“Naturally, we are disappointed. But we do, of course, respect the judge’s decision.

“We’ve just lost one part of the battle. We still have other weapons in our armoury to consider in our bid to stop this barmy Home Office plan to use the hotel for asylum seekers.

“When our team from the High Court return to Llanelli we will sit down and debate our next course of action.

“Our position remains the same as it was when this bombshell plan was exploded over Llanelli – We want the Home Office plan stopped. We want our hotel (and the jobs) back.”

Mr Lloyd added: “Obviously, this changes things dramatically for the protestors at the entrance to the hotel. The matter changes from a civil one to a criminal one. The court ruling means that people can protest lawfully, but not block access. Attempts to block access may be considered criminal and the police may have to take appropriate action.”

(Lead image: Rob Lloyd / Furnace Action Committee)