Residents of Linton-on-Ouse, a village in Yorkshire with only 600 inhabitants, are bracing for a potential population surge after the Labour government proposed housing 1,200 asylum seekers at the nearby former RAF Linton-on-Ouse base. The plan would triple the local population, reigniting fears that villagers thought they had quashed under the previous Conservative administration.
Previous Protests Failed to Stop Revival of Plans
In 2024, local opposition successfully blocked a Conservative proposal to place 1,500 men at the same base. However, the Home Office under Labour has revived the idea as part of a strategy to move asylum seekers out of hotels and into ex-military sites. Border security and asylum minister Alex Norris stated: "We are moving asylum seekers into ex-military sites that are a far cry from the hotels the last government left us with. This is a system being brought back under control – and we will not stop until the job is done."
Residents Express Fear and Frustration
Villager Adrian Smith, 61, told the Daily Mail that the plans have made his home unsellable. "We know there's no way it's going to sell now," he said. "I haven't had anyone asking to view it since this announcement was made and you can hardly be surprised." Father of two Will Garnett, a 25-year-old chef, described the situation as "an absolute nightmare." He added: "I have two daughters aged three and four, how could we leave them to play outside with a camp filled with undocumented men right on the doorstep? People will accuse anyone who objects of racism, but it doesn't matter where these people are coming from, it completely changes the place where we live and it just isn't suitable."
Safety Concerns Raised by Former Army Nurse
Deb Watson, 62, a former army nurse, said the proposal to place 1,200 men next to the village is "terrifying." She explained: "My husband works away for much of the time and if this goes through I will no longer feel safe in my home, I'm already considering all the security measures we'll need to put in."
Political Reactions and Government Stance
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch condemned the plan, saying: "A small village in Yorkshire should not have to deal with that scale. There are only 600 people in that village." A government spokesperson responded: "Discussions over these sites are in an early stage and remain subject to planning permission, feasibility assessments, and due diligence, which will include engagement with local stakeholders and communities. No final decisions to proceed will be taken until all necessary arrangements, assessments and approvals are in place and have been properly considered."
Impact on Local Property Market
The uncertainty has already affected the local housing market. Adrian Smith's experience reflects broader concerns among residents who fear that property values will plummet if the plan goes ahead. The village, described as a "pretty settlement," is now caught between government policy and local opposition.
