The Balance Between Local Concerns and Asylum Seeker Accommodation: The Scampton Case

The Balance Between Local Concerns and Asylum Seeker Accommodation: The Scampton Case

Legal Action Against Home Office

West Lindsey district council has taken legal action against the Home Office over its decision to use a local Royal Air Force station as a site for asylum seeker accommodation. The decision to use RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire as a site for up to 2,000 asylum seekers has sparked controversy and raised questions about the suitability of the site. The council argues that the Home Office’s decision could interfere with a £300m regeneration programme and that the significant heritage of the site is at risk.

Concerns Over Site Suitability

According to the council, there are several barriers to using RAF Scampton as a site for asylum seekers. These include significant contamination from previous site uses which would require thorough remediation. The council has also raised concerns about the potential impact on local communities and services. In response, the Home Office has stated that the site is a surplus military site and is suitable for asylum accommodation. The plan is to make the site as self-sufficient as possible, which, according to the Home Office, will help to minimise the impact on local communities and services.

Temporary Stop Notice

West Lindsey District Council issued a temporary stop notice to the Home Office, citing a breach of planning controls related to listed buildings and archaeology on the RAF Scampton site. The council argues that the Home Office has not provided the necessary information or reassurances about the future of the significant and important heritage on the site. The notice requires the Home Office and its contractors to immediately stop any work related to listed buildings and all intrusive surveying works, groundworks, and the installation of fencing on the site.

Home Office Response

The Home Office has stated that it is considering the implications of the notice and that it recognises its responsibilities to protect heritage assets at the site. A spokesperson said, “Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites provides cheaper and more orderly suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats whilst helping to reduce the use of hotels. We are confident our project, which will house asylum seekers in basic, safe and secure accommodation, meets the planning requirements.”

Future of RAF Scampton

RAF Scampton has a significant and rich history, being home to the 617 Squadron known for the Dambusters raid during the Second World War and also home to the Red Arrows. The Home Office announced in March that migrants would be housed at the site, as well as at RAF Wethersfield in Braintree, Essex. However, the arrival of migrants at RAF Scampton has reportedly been pushed back until October due to delays in carrying out surveys on the buildings designated for migrant accommodation.

Looking Forward

The case of RAF Scampton highlights the challenges of finding suitable accommodation for asylum seekers while also addressing local concerns. The Home Office’s decision to use RAF Scampton as a site for asylum seekers has sparked legal action from West Lindsey district council, and the outcome of this case will likely have implications for future decisions about asylum seeker accommodation. As the situation unfolds, it will be important for all parties to work together to find a solution that balances the needs of asylum seekers with the concerns of local communities.