Housing Secretary Angela Rayner approved an Urgent Crown Development application to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at a former Ministry of Defence site near Bicester. The project allows for the demolition of existing buildings to construct modular housing, health clinics, and welfare facilities under 24/7 security. Although the Home Office has saved over £1 billion by moving away from hotels, it noted that a final decision to proceed has not yet been taken. Opponents who heavily contested the scheme now have a six-week window to challenge the ruling in the High Court.
Key points
Opponents have a six-week window from the decision date to launch High Court legal challe…: Opponents have a six-week window from the decision date to launch High Court legal challenges against the approval.
Ministers utilized emergency fast-track planning procedures despite accusations from oppo…: Ministers utilized emergency fast-track planning procedures despite accusations from opposition politicians that urgent powers were being abused.
The Home Office has not yet made a definitive final decision to proceed with the Oxfordsh…: The Home Office has not yet made a definitive final decision to proceed with the Oxfordshire development.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
Planning permission to house asylum seekers at a former Ministry of Defence (MoD) site has been granted by the government.
The Home Office's application to house up to 1,256 men at the site near Bicester, Oxfordshire, was fast-tracked using an Urgent Crown Development application.
The nearby village of Piddington symbolically voted to leave the UK in opposition to the planned site, which has also been legally challenged by campaigners.
A Home Office spokesperson said said the planning permission "allows us to continue to progress the use of MOD Bicester" but no final decision on the proposal had been taken.
A government report said the decision received 3,177 representations against, and one in support.
It also said Housing Secretary Angela Rayner ruled permission should be granted because "national demand for asylum accommodation remains high".
The permission allows for demolition of existing buildings, the erection of new modular accommodation, and provisions for health and welfare facilities.
Chris Philp MP, Shadow Home Secretary, said: "Angela Rayner and the Labour government have betrayed the people of Piddington by abusing their emergency powers…
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