Thousands of residents marched in the UK market town of Bicester, Oxfordshire, on Saturday against government plans to house more than 1,200 asylum seekers at a nearby disused military site.
The proposal would move asylum seekers into the disused MoD Bicester, outside the town of the same name, and the small hamlet of Piddington.
Urgent Crown Development application
An Urgent Crown Development application for Site A, published in September, states: "The Proposed Development comprises the retention and change of use of Building A6, the demolition of existing buildings and structures, the erection of new modular accommodation, and the provision of space for associated health and welfare facilities, site infrastructure, wastewater treatment plant, roads, access ways, security infrastructure, parking, staff accommodation and facilities, and open space and recreational areas, to accommodate up to 1,256 service users."
The Home Office's cover letter, dated July 6, states that the Home Secretary has powers under law to "provide support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute".
"This includes the provision of accommodation and/or subsistence under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, temporary support under section 98 while an application under section 95 is under consideration, and support under section 4(2) for certain refused asylum seekers who meet the relevant statutory criteria," the document adds.
Residents' concerns
Marcher Phil Hawkes told GB News: "It's getting quite frightening. This is a little town, you know. Best little town I've known all my life. In a year, you won't be able to do what we've always been allowed to do. We won't be able to walk up here."
He added: "I'm not afraid of anyone coming here, but It's the young girls. It's the young mums. My daughters. It's not looking good."
Another local, Bruce Skelton, said "we don't know what we're getting, and we've got no idea what comes into this country, and our taxpayers are paying for all these people coming to this country".
Home Office response
The application is submitted under the Urgent Crown Development procedure, which the Home Office considers "the appropriate route for the application, having regard to both the national importance of the proposal and the urgency with which a planning decision is required". The letter also states that payment of an agreed application fee of £76,482 had been arranged by the Home Office.
A Home Office spokesman said: "The government is working on a fairer distribution of asylum accommodation across the country, with over £1billion saved in costs since the election. We engage with local authorities and police forces to ensure the safety and security of those in the surrounding area."
They added: "We are closing all asylum hotels and moving to alternative accommodation, including former military sites. These are designed to be self-contained, with 24/7 security and CCTV to reduce the impact on local communities."
