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People that were accused of not liking plans for an asylum seeker hostel have responded - by making offensive comments about asylum seekers.

On Sunday, the Halton Liberal Democrat group hit out at the Save Lilycross action group in a Facebook post which insinuated that their concerns about a building that will soon house 120 asylum seekers are insincere.

The group claim that the building is not fit for purpose and this is why they oppose the asylum hostel , which used to be a care home but was shut down in 2015 over safety fears.

The care home had housed 60 patients, and the group say it should not re-open because it doesn’t meet the building regulations required to house double the occupants, such as an adequate water tanker, bathroom provision or sprinkler system.

The debate was reignited when Serco Service Providers announced that they had completed all the statutory planning, contractual and environmental requirements for the lease and conversion of the former nursing home, and that the first asylum seekers would arrive in late summer.

On Sunday the Lib Dems suggested the concerns about the building were a cover up for fearing asylum seekers in a Facebook post which called for unity.

The post said: “We find it peculiar that a group not known for environmental campaigning, health and safety and the care of others is so very interested in what happens at the soon to open asylum hostel in Widnes . It’s almost like there’s something else that bothers them about asylum seekers.”

“Now is the time for all local politicians to show a united face and loudly and proudly state how great it is that our welcoming town is looking after these people who desperately need our help.”

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A spokesperson from Lilycross blasted the views of the Lib Dems as “irrelevant” and insisted that their main concern was the water tanker causing sewerage problems.

They added: “Fear of crime is a legal planning reason. So if that’s what they are attempting to insinuate to their 117 people that follow them then they really don’t know anything about planning law at all.”

However after the post was shared onto the Lilycross Community page it made its way onto several pages associated with right-wing groups and sparked dozens of inflammatory comments about asylum seekers.

One Lilycross supporter, who has now been removed from the group, likened asylum seekers to paedophiles and made references to the Rotherham Sex Abuse Scandal.

Another member likened asylum seekers to “murderers, bombers and rapists” and accused them of “abandoning their families’ fate.”

Others questioned why asylum seekers were prioritised over the homeless or elderly.

Not all the comments on the Lib Dem post were made by members of the Lilycross group, however the group adminastrator Karen Forde thanked everyone for “sticking up” for the care home campaigners.

Many of those comments said asylum seekers weren’t welcome, including one which said: “Pass me the sick bucket, we don’t welcome them here. We dread the thought of them coming here.”

Ms Forde said she was only thanking the people defending thier planning and safety concerns, and requested for members to “stick to the facts and keep the Muslim posts to a minimum” when comments of a similar nature were made on the Lilycross page.

She maintained that their fight was over the building regulations and said whilst fear of crime was a reasonable concern, anything that was racially motivated or from a right-wing site would be removed from the group as soon as it was noticed.

Responding to the abuse, David Coveney, Chair of Halton Liberal Democrats said: “I think in recent years many politicians have been guilty of consistently presenting immigration and our asylum system as a problem in need of solutions, rather than it being a solution to the under-staffed NHS and care system.

“On top of that we have to look at the great contributions made to our society by individuals and families with such backgrounds. Whether it’s Mo Farah, Rita Ora or the Milliband brothers - these are people who wouldn’t be here were it not for us welcoming people who need help.

“It’s time for some positive messaging and leadership in the area. Let’s be proud that we’re a welcoming and warm community.

“Notwithstanding that, of course, it’s important that suitable local planning takes place. People need affordable homes and fulfilling jobs - if we don’t provide them then the far-right will offer other, nastier solutions - which won’t work, but could well seem attractive to those who don’t know better.”

Halton council leader Rob Polhill also issued a statement encouraging residents to welcome the asylum seekers.

He said: “Following the emergency closure of Lilycross Care Centre by the Care Quality Commission, the Council, as the local planning authority, received a planning application for the change of use of Lilycross Care Centre, from a care home to interim accommodation for asylum seekers. Having considered the matter very carefully and, after taking into account all the evidence the application was approved.

“When the facility opens, the Council will extend the same welcome it does to all those who visit our borough and we would encourage others to do the same.”