Asylum seekers are set to be moved into a hotel today despite a council leader warning the Home Secretary of extremist views.

Last month, Gravesham council confirmed the Home Office is looking to use The Granby Hotel, in Northfleet, to house around 70 people.

It has since been made aware the government department intends to move them into the facility in The Hill today (Tuesday).

Gravesham council leader Cllr John Burden (Lab), leader of the opposition Cllr Jordan Meade (Con), MP Adam Holloway (Con) and leader of Kent County Council Cllr Roger Gough (Con) wrote a joint letter to MP Suella Braverman dated yesterday, addressing their "dismay" over the formal confirmation and lack of answers.

It said the officials were promised that their letters outlining their concerns would be addressed before use was made of the hotel, which they claim has not happened.

The letter read: "It is with some frustration that we feel it necessary to write to you once again regarding use of The Granby Hotel in Northfleet for asylum seeking purposes.

"Despite repeated assurances by your own officials, and those representing the Home Office, that those letters would be formally responded to before use is made of The Granby, you can imagine our dismay at receiving formal confirmation from the Home Office today (February 20) that the facility will be brought online tomorrow (February 21).

"It should perhaps come as little surprise therefore that the much promised 48 hours-notice that has been recently mentioned in meetings between representatives of Gravesham Borough Council and Home Office officials, prior to commencement of use of the site, will also be breached should occupation commence tomorrow as planned.

"Public sector partners and representatives have been unanimous in voicing their concerns about use of this facility within the borough of Gravesham, and the wider pressures that are being experienced across the county of Kent – be that in terms of an acute shortage of healthcare capacity, over-subscription of school places, thousands of households on the social housing waiting list not just within Gravesham but in every other authority within Kent, rising community tensions, and safeguarding issues for the asylum seekers themselves."

The letter to the Home Secretary raised further concerns over the lack of risk and impact assessments, responses and transparency over when the hotel will be used, leaving them unprepared, and no feedback following concerns raised over "worrying social media activity" which highlighted extremist views.

It also raised questions over where responsibility lies for the safety and safeguarding of any unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who might be placed in the hotel and deemed it "unacceptable" that local authorities would be responsible, despite the facility being "commandeered" by the Home Office against its wishes.

The letter added: "In conclusion, we would urge the Home Office once again to reconsider the use of this hotel in Gravesham.

"Should it go ahead despite our strong reservations to the contrary, we would urge you to delay placing asylum seekers into the hotel until the concerns raised by all Kent public sector partners in previous letters and summarised above have been addressed in full, and importantly in writing as has been requested on numerous occasions.

"Such is the strength of feeling about this locally that we feel duty bound to take the unconventional step of writing to you collectively regarding this issue."

It is understood by KentOnline that long-term residents living at The Granby were told on Saturday, January 28 they would need to find new accommodation by Wednesday, February 1.

The Home Office would not confirm its intentions for the use of the hotel.

A spokesman added: "The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.

"We engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation and work to ensure arrangements are safe for hotel residents and local people."