Campaigners near a proposed asylum accommodation facility in Piddington, Oxfordshire, have warned that three local GP surgeries could each have to take on 400 additional patients, as anger intensifies over the handling of the plans.
Activists in the village, close to the proposed 1,256-man site in Bicester, dismissed claims that the accommodation would be "self-contained" and said patient care for local residents would suffer as a result.
Parish council demands transparency
Tim McNally, Chairman of Piddington Parish Council, said the village "deserves the whole truth" and not "spin, omissions and misleading assurances". He said residents were "facing a juggernaut which will simply steamroller our small community".
Mr McNally said: "We have received information that three Bicester GP practices have been asked to prepare for approximately 400 additional patients each.
"That needs a clear public response from the NHS and Home Office. If local services are expected to absorb substantial additional demand, residents deserve to know the staffing, funding and capacity arrangements before the site opens.
"A reassuring phrase is no substitute for a funded, deliverable plan.
"I want the government to publish the evidence behind its assurances: the infrastructure solutions, the healthcare arrangements, the costs and a comprehensive assessment of the consequences for surrounding communities.
"Lies and deception are serious allegations.
"Ministers can answer concerns about misleading the public by putting the evidence in public view.
"Until then, we will keep testing their statements against their documents. Piddington deserves the whole truth before it is expected to live with the consequences."
Contracts signed before approval
Immigration chiefs have been accused of putting their "fingers in their ears" by booking construction teams while publicly insisting no final decision has been taken.
The Home Office has signed a £3.4 million contract to draw up detailed plans for a migrant camp at RAF Barnham, a former nuclear weapons store near Thetford earmarked for 931 asylum seekers. Construction giant Kier has been hired to design the camp.
Officials have also signed a £1.2 million contract for the site in Piddington, Oxfordshire. Company 'Reds(10) UK' will prepare the ground for the controversial site, it is understood.
John Bauer, Chairman of Barnham Parish Council, told the Daily Express: "The shocking thing about this is that they are prepared to commit £3.4 million effectively at risk in these financially very difficult times.
"As far as the village is concerned, we have established a residents' association which is leading the fight against the proposal.
"We have a number of work streams involved in this – village engagement, media, research, ecology to name but 4 and we have a 'Piddington style' referendum planned for November 21.
"It is all very concerning though as we are feeling that we are facing a juggernaut which will simply steam roller our small community. We will not go down without a fight though."
Wider asylum site plans
The Home Office announced earlier this year that the numbers housed at RAF Barnham would be reduced from 1,250 asylum seekers to 930.
Plans to move migrants into former military bases are a crucial part of Labour's plans to close hotels – despite calls for the asylum seekers to be deported.
RAF Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire is earmarked for redevelopment to house more than 1,200 migrants, while the Government is seeking to extend the use of two existing sites – Crowborough in East Sussex until 2030 and Wethersfield in Essex beyond 2027.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "The public are rightly sick of this Labour Government constantly ignoring them and trampling on local concerns, and whether in Piddington, Barnham or Linton-on-Ouse, the outrage is real.
"This is precisely why we tabled an amendment to require a Local Impact and Safeguarding Assessment before any asylum site for 300 or more people is approved or expanded.
"You can't just dump a thousand mainly male illegal immigrants in tiny communities and expect there to be no impact. Labour has their fingers in their ears.
"The only solution to this whole mess is to deport all illegal immigrants.
"We then would be able to shut these sites and avoid putting this burden on communities altogether. Sadly, Labour do not have the backbone to do this."
