Suella Braverman is leading a campaign to stop plans to house migrants in a town described as looking like it has gone through a ‘zombie apocalypse’.
A row has broken out in Waterlooville as locals have been left up in arms over proposals to house 35 asylum seekers on its much-scrutinised high street.
Over the last two years, the once-thriving Waterlooville has been branded a ‘zombie apocalypse town’ after videos of its high street went viral, showing it deserted and desolate.
It was dubbed a ‘ghost town’ thanks to scores of boarded-up shops and was singled out as the ‘worst high street in Britain’.
Efforts have been undertaken to restore the town to its former glory as its local authority – Havant Borough Council – has supported it with a series of grants.
Now, the council – as well as the Home Office – have come under fire after it emerged that the Home Office has submitted proposals to locate migrants in Waterlooville.
It is claimed that the Home Office proposes to house 35 young male asylum seekers in a building on the high street where fashion shop Peacocks used to be before it closed down.
Braverman, Tory MP for Fareham and Waterlooville, took to the high street in Waterlooville to brand the proposals ‘outrageous’, ‘reckless’, and ‘insulting to local people’.
Braverman said: ‘Housing illegal migrants and ‘asylum seekers’ in Waterlooville Town Centre is totally wrong.
‘Our local services are already under strain.
‘This plan will dump further pressure on policing, healthcare, and public infrastructure, all while ignoring the legitimate concerns of residents who have been left voiceless.
‘Waterlooville families deserve better than to have their town centre used as overflow accommodation because Labour has lost control of our borders after scrapping the Rwanda plan.’
The former Home Secretary has called on constituents to sign a petition to stop the proposals.
She has also written to the Home Office, urging Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to abandon them.
Braverman has also accused Havant Borough Council of failing to object to the Home Office’s plans.
She said: ‘Shamefully, we have been informed that HBC did not respond to the consultation from Clearsprings, the housing provider, and HBC did not object to the proposals.’
News of the proposals being shared by Braverman has caused a row between Havant Borough Council and the Home Office.
In a strongly-worded statement, the council said the Home Office and Clearsprings made a blunder by sending an email to the wrong address.
The council also said they have not had appropriate time to consider the plans.
A spokesperson said: ‘The Home Office and Clearsprings, the property procurement company acting on their behalf, contacted Havant Borough Council in June 2025 in relation to a consultation on these placements.
‘It has since become apparent the email to consult on this matter had been sent to the email address of an external contractor who was not only not qualified to respond, but also no longer works on behalf of the council.
‘Havant Borough Council does not consider appropriate contact was made and has highlighted to both the Home Office and Clearsprings that matters of this sensitive nature must firmly be discussed in the first instance with the Chief Executive and lead for Housing, in addition to the elected Administration.
‘The council has since been in contact with The Home Office, urgently requesting that the consultation period is extended to allow the council to express its views on this matter.
‘This is to ensure matters of this nature are given proper consideration, allowing for qualified feedback to be expressed under a formal process.’
Leader of Havant Borough Council, Labour Councillor Phil Munday, said: ‘I understand we have an instructed duty from the Home Office to house asylum seekers within the borough, however it is important that the council works closely with all concerned to advise on the placement for these vulnerable people.
‘I have taken immediate action and personally called The Home Office to request an extension to their consultation in order for us to respond accordingly.
‘This has also been followed up with formal requests in writing from our officers.
‘We are extremely disappointed that the company involved with this important consultation, considering the impact it may have on our local community, was not only sent to an incorrect email address, but they also failed to follow up to ensure a response of some kind was registered.
‘These consultation exercises need to be taken seriously.’
Cllr Munday added that he has ‘grave concerns’ about the impact the recent campaign video posted by MP Suella Braverman will have.
‘I would urge the community to act responsibly and allow us to address this matter formally in the correct manner,’ he said.
‘As part of my open letter to Suella Braverman MP on this matter I will be reminding her that those who could potentially be accommodated somewhere within our borough, will be supported asylum seekers.
‘They are categorically not recognised by the state as illegal immigrants – regardless of the headline-grabbing title of Suella Braverman’s petition – and I urge people to consider this in their views and actions.’
Havant Borough Council has no overall control and last year a coalition was formed between Labour, Liberal Democrats and Green Party Councillors.