It was today revealed that a new floating migrant motel would be situated at a troubled landfill site in Tividale.
Plans submitted by Jersey registered Swinger Homes Limited to Sandwell Council would see a barge known affectionately as “The Babby Copenhagen” erected at the toxic waste lagoon owned by Rhodia UK Limited. The pink hull clad motel would have 100 rooms with en-suite bathrooms, and would also include two shisha lounges, prayer rooms, a fully equipped spa and manicure complex, heated indoor swimming pool, tennis courts and a mini golf course. There would be parking spaces for 20 camels and five goats and the scheme would create 40 jobs .
Speaking today, West Midland’s Mayor Andy Street welcomed the plans as being “vital to the cultural enrichment of the Tividale and Tipton areas”. He said “these inclusive plans using Garden City principles are another example of using brownfield land first to protect our precious green belt, and it helps contribute to the Government’s aim of moving migrants around the country to ease pressure on the South of England.”
A spokesperson for Rhodia commented “I’m sure that local people would welcome this application with open arms.” In a report to the council’s planning committee the officer’s report states, “It’s a crap site for residential, but who else would want to live here?”
An artist impression of how the floating motel would look at the lagoon.
Bound for Babby