Plan to House 1,200 Asylum Seekers in Tiny Village Sparks Outrage
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has condemned government proposals to accommodate up to 1,200 asylum seekers at the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse base in North Yorkshire, a village with a population of just 700. Describing the plan as lacking common sense, she said the rural location and limited infrastructure make it unsuitable.
The former military site, where flying operations ceased in 2019, is one of three ex-defence locations identified by the government as part of its strategy to close asylum hotels and provide alternative housing. The proposal has revived a contentious debate that first emerged in 2022, when similar plans were abandoned after strong local opposition.
Residents Voice Concerns Over Infrastructure and Consultation
Many residents expressed surprise and dismay at the latest announcement. Jackie Holder, 77, told The Sun: “I think it is going to go through this time. That is my gut feeling. They managed to stop it last time. It will be the same again with the protests in the village. I hope I am wrong.”
Della Blood, 62, described the proposal as “absolutely ridiculous” and “utterly, utterly bonkers.” Helen Jones, a 20-year resident, highlighted the village's limited services: “We have got one shop. The bus only goes to York. So, it is a bit of a worry. We [never] knew anything about it until the time it was announced, which is awful really.”
Campaigners Call for Long-Term Asylum Policy
Campaigners have questioned the lack of consultation before the announcement. Professor Olga Matthias urged a more strategic approach: “What is needed is not knee-jerk comments but a policy with some substance behind it. The government needs a clearly thought-through long-term policy – preferably with cross-party support.”
North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les expressed reservations, stating the authority supports providing safe accommodation for asylum seekers but believes Linton-on-Ouse is inappropriate for such a large development. He noted the council learned of the proposal through media reports before being officially informed.
Government Defends Plan as Part of Hotel Closure Strategy
The Home Office insists no final decision has been made, with a planning application expected before ministers decide. Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris defended the plan: “We promised to close every asylum hotel and hand them back to communities, and that is exactly what we are doing. Instead, we’re 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.”
Kemi Badenoch, speaking during a visit to North Yorkshire, reiterated her opposition: “It is a very small village... There's no infrastructure to support it. There are better sites, there are more suitable sites... There is so much trust in our system. And I think we need to bring back some common sense and just stop pretending it'll be fine.”
