Furious villagers in Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, have pledged to fight Labour's plans to convert a former RAF military base into accommodation for migrants. The scheme, which was scrapped by the Conservatives four years ago following major local backlash, has been resurrected by the Government, leaving campaigners 'gobsmacked'.
Labour's Plan and Local Reaction
On Thursday, Labour announced that the RAF facility in the isolated village would be part of a new plan to accommodate 3,750 asylum seekers at Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites. Speaking on Friday, campaigner Professor Olga Matthias expressed the community's shock: 'Who knew that stupidity has such a big, long shelf-life? We're utterly and completely gobsmacked. It was thrust upon everyone yesterday. There's been absolutely no consultation by the Government, none whatsoever.'
Opposition from villagers has hinged on the site's unsuitability, linked to the lack of public transport and wider infrastructure. Professor Matthias noted that the former military base has been further decommissioned since 2022, with some buildings refurbished and sold.
Site Deterioration and Safety Concerns
'The site has significantly deteriorated,' she added. 'It was a dangerous site anyway, because it's got toxic waste all over the place, it's got asbestos. There's no power, no water, no phone lines actually on the site. So, if the costs before were prohibitive, they're now going to be astronomical. Astronomical costs when they're spending taxpayers' money doesn't bother this Government.'
The Tory-run Home Office had previously said the facility would provide 'safe and cost-effective' accommodation for single adult men claiming asylum in the UK when plans were first announced in April 2022. Senior civil servants from the department were questioned for two hours by residents at a meeting in the village, with one emphasising that they faced a 'crisis'.
Previous Opposition and Judicial Review
Prior to the plan being scrapped, the local authority pledged to seek a judicial review. Rishi Sunak, then MP for North Yorkshire and running to be leader, said he would U-turn on the proposals if he entered Downing Street. The Home Office is also seeking planning permission for sites in Bicester, Oxfordshire, and Barnham, Suffolk, as part of the plan to move migrants into former military barracks.
The drive is part of Labour's pledge to stop using asylum hotels by the next election. According to figures published last month, the number of migrants being housed temporarily in UK hotels has fallen to its lowest level since data was first reported in 2022.
