Concerns have been raised over whether a hotel near Cardiff Airport is appropritate to temporarily house Afghan citizens.

The Holiday Inn Express at Rhoose is being used by the Ministry of Defence as part of a resettlement programme for Afghan citizens who supported the UK's mission in Afghanistan.

Under the programme, each arrival is entitled to nine months transitional accommodation.

Vale of Glamorgan Council said the first of two groups would arrive at the hotel in due course.

But former Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies has questioned whether the hotel is appropriate due to its limited access to facilities and services.

The Welsh Refugee Council said it recognised the UK Government’s commitment to support Afghan families who served the armed forces, but added that it was vital placements allowed people proper access to services and opportunities to integrate.

A lease between Vale of Glamorgan Council and the hotel to temporarily house homeless people ended before the MoD decided to use it for the ARP.

Mr RT Davies told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS): "The welfare support [at the hotel] is of paramount importance, not just obviously for the recipients…but the surrounding community because there’s pressure on local services already in the locality and ultimately, is a…hotel the most suitable location to be a reception centre?"

“I believe the nearest shop is about a mile and a half [or] two miles away.”

The South Wales Central MS also raised concerns about the level of contact he as a local representative had had from the county council and the MoD on the use of the hotel.

He said: “I’m an elected member of the area and I’ve had no information passed to me by any of the…government bodies or local council or anything."

He later added: "We’ve written to the Ministry of Defence in the hope of trying to get some confirmation as to what exactly is going on because what we’ve seen in past examples is where there is a dearth of information, people plough into there and obviously put a lot of misleading stories out and about that create a lot of tension and anger."

The MoD confirmed that it had received Mr Davies’ letter regarding its use of the hotel and that it would provide a full response to him in due course.

Afghan citizens that come under the ARP include people who fought alongside British personnel and worked for the UK Government in Afghanistan in exposed and meaningful roles.

The ARP brings together a number of schemes that were launched in response to the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021 and the need to evacuate people who had supported the UK Government and whose lives would be at risk as a result.

As of July 1st, the UK Government closed the scheme to new applicants. Those eligible under the ARP are granted indefinite leave to remain in the country.

They can access the same services as other UK citizens, including the NHS, schools and housing and do not receive any priority over others.

Funding for the scheme is provided by the UK Government and not by council tax or other local funds.

On Thursday, Vale of Glamorgan Council released its own statement, citing "speculation and misinformation" on social media and within the local community.

They confirmed the Holiday Inn Express had been selected by the MOD as temporary accommodation on a "short term basis".

A council spokesperson said: "As EPs (entitled persons), this group have the right to live in the UK following their efforts supporting the British military in Afghanistan."

"These households are not illegal immigrants, asylum seekers or refugees. The UK Government has granted them indefinite leave to remain in this country, which is now regarded as their home."

They added: "The first of two intakes, which is expected shortly, will consist of 19 families with children, three couples and a single person."

"This temporary arrangement, lasting up to nine months, is in place while they are helped to find more permanent accommodation across the UK."

A statement from the Welsh Refugee Council reads: “We recognise the UK Government’s commitment to support Afghan families who risked everything to stand with British forces. These families are our allies, and like all of us, they deserve safety and the chance to rebuild their lives."

"The choice of location is made by the Home Office and MoD. We understand concerns about whether this site offers easy access to services."

“It is vital that placements are both safe and allow families proper access to services and opportunities to integrate."

“While temporary accommodation like hotels can provide short-term security, they are not a long-term solution for families who want to build stable, independent lives."

“At the Welsh Refugee Council, we work with local authorities and partners to provide practical support, from English classes and job opportunities to mental health care. Our priority is to help families settle in a way that strengthens both their futures and local communities.”

Councils can claim tens of thousands of pounds in funding for each arrival under the ARP, which is used to help Afghan citizens integrate and become self-sufficient.

In addition to the £24,110 they can claim over three years for all arrivals, there is a one-time education fund of up to £5,130 per child aged five to 18, up to £2,965 per child aged three to four and a health fund of up to £2,600 per person.

An MoD spokesperson said: “We are committed to honouring the promise made to those Afghans who supported the UK mission in Afghanistan, often at great personal risk."

“The Afghan Resettlement Programme provides our Afghan friends and allies with the opportunity to begin new lives in the UK."

“Each arrival is entitled to nine months transitional accommodation – allowing them time to orient themselves to the UK, establish roots and integrate into communities to begin the path to self-sufficiency."

“Support from the Vale of Glamorgan community is vital in the successful integration of these Afghans and we are grateful for their assistance. It is the foundation upon which these families can build new lives.”

Vale of Glamorgan Council leader Lis Burnett said: "This location has been selected by the MOD as part of an operation to help a distinct group of people who have fled Afghanistan after working in partnership with UK forces in that country."

"They have every right to live in this country following the commitment and loyalty they have shown and, in a large number of cases, the sacrifices they have made."

"This is not a council initiative, but one organised and operated by the MOD, which we are supporting. As with previous schemes, funding has been provided by the UK Government."

"The communities of the Vale have a long history of helping those in need and values relating to tolerance, acceptance, understanding and inclusivity are a central feature of this council's ongoing ethos and approach."

"Naturally, we also care deeply about our existing residents and feel you should be informed about what's happening in your locality."

"Over recent weeks, council teams have been working with colleagues from the MOD, Welsh Government and other agencies to prepare for arrivals."

"Initial conversations have taken place with local schools to assess existing capacity and the possibility of placing children, but no final decisions can be made until the EPs arrive and the age of the children is known."

"As is common when dealing with sensitive issues like this, these discussions have needed to be kept confidential."

"The UK Government will provide funding to support education and increase the capacity of health services such as doctor's surgeries."

"We have a shining example of how successful a temporary placement of EPs can be in nearby St Athan, where the local community embraced arrivals from Afghanistan staying on the army base there."

"Those individuals were invited to join local sports clubs, while residents worked together to collect items they may need to be more comfortable. I'm confident the people of Rhoose, Barry and the wider Vale of Glamorgan area will be equally welcoming."

"Many of these people will have suffered great trauma, given up everything and left their homes to move to a new country. It is highly likely they will feel vulnerable and scared as they start a completely new life."

"The Vale will be these families' first home in the UK – it is up to us to help them acclimatise and adjust to life here. As a community, I'm sure we will offer them the empathy and dignity they deserve."

"I'm proud of our previous achievements. People in the Vale have a consistent track record of greeting new arrivals with warmth, hospitality and compassion. That is what we do because that is the kind of place we all want to live in."

Additional reporting by Ted Peskett - Local Democracy Reporter for Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan