Plans to house up to 300 male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness have been abandoned by the UK Government, according to a local MP.
Angus MacDonald, the Liberal Democrat MP for Inverness, Skye and West Ross-shire, said he had been informed by Border Security Minister Alex Norris that the proposal would no longer go ahead.
The Home Office had initially intended to move asylum seekers into the military site by early December and operate the accommodation for a year. However, the scheme faced repeated delays and growing opposition from residents and military families.
MacDonald welcomed the decision, describing it as the correct outcome following sustained concerns from the local community.
He said residents and families connected to Cameron Barracks had voiced objections from the outset, arguing that the site was unsuitable due to its proximity to the city centre, schools and nearby residential neighbourhoods.
The MP also criticised what he described as an inconsistent approach to asylum accommodation policy, saying it made little sense to close asylum hotels in towns across southern England while opening a large-scale accommodation site in the centre of Inverness.
The proposal sparked demonstrations in December near the 140-year-old barracks. One protest was organised by Highlands Against Hate, a group that supports refugees settling in Scotland, while another involved campaigners from the anti-illegal immigration organisation Peterhead United.
Another challenge facing the scheme concerned housing regulations. Highland Council previously indicated that Cameron Barracks could require a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence if used to accommodate asylum seekers.
Under Scottish regulations, an HMO licence is generally required for properties occupied by at least three unrelated individuals who share facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms. The council confirmed in March that discussions had taken place with the Home Office, although no formal licence application had been submitted.
The UK Government has pledged to reduce its reliance on asylum hotels, arguing that alternative accommodation options could ease pressure on local communities and help lower costs associated with the asylum system.
Earlier this year, asylum seekers were moved into a former military training camp in Crowborough, East Sussex, as part of those wider efforts.
A government spokesperson previously said ministers remained committed to closing asylum hotels and were working with local authorities, property partners and other departments to identify more suitable accommodation sites.
The Home Office has been approached for comment regarding the decision to drop the Inverness barracks proposal.
Under UK law, entering the country without permission is a criminal offence. However, international refugee law states that people seeking asylum should not be penalised solely for entering a country irregularly when fleeing persecution.