The controversial plans, details of which emerged last month, seek to replace asylum-seeking families who have been living at the Park Hotel in Diss for the last two years.

But the announcement resulted in outrage and protests in the street and the bid has been thrown into chaos, with the hotel revealing it would close rather than allow the government to move the men in.

Despite this, the Home Office has written to South Norfolk Council this week to confirm it "intends to proceed" with the plans.

The council, which has been pushing for the bid to be withdrawn, maintains that it "will not accept" the change of use and is using planning enforcement powers in an attempt to shut down the move.

The Park Hotel in Diss (Image: Newsquest) The Park Hotel, in Denmark Street, which is close to the Mere and the town centre, has been used for asylum-seeking families, including women and children, since 2023.

The Home Office informed South Norfolk Council that it would be removing........

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