A hotel which has controversially housed asylum seekers for more than a year will revert to housing paying guests, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary have confirmed.

The 58 rooms at the Wiltshire Hotel in Royal Wootton Bassett will be returned to their original purpose from April 2024, after being used by the Home Office as emergency short-term accommodation for migrants arriving in the UK via the English Channel.

Commenting on the decision ahead of Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, January 17, North Wiltshire MP, James Gray, said: “Following months of representations on behalf of my constituents, the Home Office has announced today that they are to cease using The Wiltshire Hotel as Asylum Accommodation by the end of April.

"I know that like me many constituents will welcome this news.”

The asylum seekers who are currently housed there will be moved to other areas including disused military sites and the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland, Dorset.

Mr Gray had previously written to former Home Secretary Suella Braverman to voice his opposition to the decision to convert the hotel, stating that the site was "entirely unsuitable as a potential migrant housing site".

Swindon Advertiser: The Wiltshire Hotel will no longer be used as accommodation for asylum seekers.The Wiltshire Hotel will no longer be used as accommodation for asylum seekers. (Image: Dave Cox)

Elderly neighbours who live in a retirement village near The Wiltshire were also outraged when the original decision was made to transform the hotel into a migrant sanctuary and install extra security fencing.

“The installation of the fence by the owners of The Wiltshire is an absolute disgrace," said one angry pensioner at the time.

“As village residents, we pay thousands of pounds each year to become members of the club that is compulsory for all house and apartment owners.

“We do not expect to be suddenly barred from using the sole access path to reach the club. There has been no warning about this."

Swindon Advertiser: A security fence was put up, blocking the footpath between the Wiltshire Hotel and the nearby retirement village.A security fence was put up, blocking the footpath between the Wiltshire Hotel and the nearby retirement village. (Image: Chris Morris)

A 75-year-old woman told the Adver: “We came here to enjoy the last years of our lives in peace and quiet.

"We’ve worked hard, invested our life savings here, and are now seriously worried about the future for ourselves and our families.”

Booking up every room in the luxury Wiltshire hotel was estimated to have cost the Home Office around £500,000.

Rishi Sunak has made it a key pledge to "stop the boats" ahead of the next general election.

The news came as Mr Sunak prepared for a crucial vote on his government's Rwanda immigration scheme, which would some asylum seekers moved to the African country and settle there instead.

But several members of his party were threatening to rebel on Wednesday.