The Home Office’s proposal to transform a student residence in a picturesque suburb into housing for asylum seekers has been labeled ‘absurd’ by locals who worry it will turn their quiet street into a site for demonstrations.

Residents near Mary Morris House on Shire Oak Road in the Headingley area of Leeds are split over the surprising news.

Many are fiercely opposed – saying it will ruin the area as well as depriving students of ideal accommodation close to local universities.

Some feel that the newcomers will integrate well in the traditionally student-heavy area, though there are concerns about potential violent protests like those across the nation.

House prices in Headlingley are £286,000, according to data from estate agents Zoopla – around £25,000 higher than the citywide average.

Leeds City Council has acknowledged receiving a planning application from the Home Office regarding Mary Morris House.

Presently accommodating tuition-paying students, the building might be repurposed by the Home Office to reduce reliance on hotels and lower asylum housing costs.

A spokesperson for the council stated: ‘Leeds is a city that welcomes all, founded on principles of tolerance, unity, and mutual respect, and we are dedicated to preserving these values.’

‘We hope the announcement of these details today will reassure local residents that we will be engaging fully with them with regard to the Home Office’s proposals for Mary Morris House.’

But locals in the city are less than impressed. Mother-of-four Michelle Armstrong, 49, who lives opposite Mary Morris House and is a volunteer worker for numerous homeless charities in Leeds, was outraged.

She said: ‘There will be a lot of people in this street who will not be happy about this. There is only one council house on this street and a lot of old people.

‘A lot of them are going to be saying ‘no’ to this idea. My main concern is noise and mess.

‘It is terrible that we cannot look after our own when the Government are paying the bills and the wrong people are coming in.’

Another resident, living directly opposite who declined to be named, said: ‘I don’t have strong opinions about migrants but what worries me is how little information is shared about the change of use.

‘I am not in favour of putting them in hotels or anyone being put into accommodation where they cannot get a job or live a normal life or contribute to society.

‘It is just pouring public money into something which is not a solution for anything.’

Philip Hall, 53, said: ‘With so many people wantonly crossing the Channel local authorities and residents are being put into a very difficult position.

‘I don’t have a problem with genuine refugees but why are people crossing over here from countries like France? It is going to upset people here.

‘Headingley is an amazing place for diversity due to the student population, so they would fit in well from that point of view.

‘But our other concern is whether this is going to be a permanent or temporary change of use.’

Angela, 45, who declined to give her second name, said: ‘I think it is bizarre to take away student accommodation that is ideally placed for the universities.

‘They are going to have to put the students somewhere and at the moment they are building new accommodation as far away as the A64. So I think it is a bonkers idea.’

Gap year student Quiea Morton, 19, who is now also a resident, said: ‘It is okay having them here but it may lead to disruption from the protests.’

Lizzy, 26, who also declined to give her second name, added: ‘It would be a shame if all the students get pushed out.

‘There are usually a few hundred students living in her including some of my friends who absolutely love it so it would be a shame.’

Neighbours Anna, 61, and husband Peter, 78, who could only give their first names for professional reasons, were also worried about violent protests.

She added: ‘We don’t want to see people down here protesting against people who are living here, which would include the migrants.’

Nodding in agreement, her partner added: ‘Terrible lies have been published about asylum seekers and the situation is becoming quite dangerous.’

The hall of residence is preparing to welcome hundreds of new residents next weekend for the start of term.

At present, only a handful of students are in the rooms, which offer shared kitchens, but do not have any other catering facilities.

Business student Dave Bhularayan, 25, said: ‘It is a shock. I am 50-50 about it because is good to help the migrants but around 200 students usually live here and it is nice.’

A maths student, who declined to be named, added: ‘Everyone is coming this weekend so this has come as a total shock.

‘I just hope we will be allowed to stay here for the terms of our contracts and not be booted out.’

Mary Morris House is currently operated by Essential Student Living, but is owned by property developers Edmund Costello, Per Forsberg and Anthony Koczan, who purchased it via a property firm for £13million in 2017.

‘The Home Office has advised the council that the submission is part of wider central government efforts to reduce the reliance on hotel use for those seeking asylum,’ Leeds City Council said in a statement.

‘The submission – which has been published on Leeds’s public access planning system – is currently being considered by council officers, with a decision expected at some point in October.

‘The council has informed local residents’ groups of the potential change in occupancy at Mary Morris House and is committed to further engagement with the community on this matter.

‘It should be stressed that Mary Morris House is currently occupied by fee-paying students.’

It is understood that the halls will continue to operate as student accommodation while the application is considered. 

A spokesperson for Essential Student Living said: ‘Mary Morris House is only permitted to house students attending university. 

‘All residents currently living with us or due to move into the property are students.

‘We understand that this application reflects the potential future of the building and is not reflective of its current operations as student-only accommodation. As managing agents only, this is beyond the control of Essential Student Living.

‘We look forward to welcoming students to our property. Their safety is our number one priority. 

‘Essential Student Living is committed to keeping them informed throughout this process.’

The application as submitted to Leeds City Council is for a certificate of proposed lawful development – a legal document that confirms proposed use of the building is compliant with the law and does not require full planning permission.

Leeds City Council has until October 9 to review the application, which was received last month. 

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We are continuing to work closely with stakeholders across the country, including other government departments and local authorities, to fulfil our statutory obligations and deliver our commitments to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation, and end the use of asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament.

‘We will continue to work with partners across all regions and nations of the UK to manage the use of asylum accommodation responsibly.’

The street also includes a three star hotel called Harleys, whose owners declined to comment.

Next door is an £88-a-day children’s nursery called Cub. The management has been approached for comment.