Andy Burnham's government has approved plans to house more than 1,200 male asylum seekers at a former army base in Oxfordshire, prompting legal threats from local villagers. Communities Secretary Angela Rayner granted full planning permission to convert the Ministry of Defence site near Piddington into accommodation for 1,256 male migrants.
Villagers Threaten Legal Challenge
Locals had fiercely opposed the move, warning that placing the men at the former military site would pose a significant threat to women in the area. The parish council even staged a symbolic bid to declare the village independent from the rest of the UK in an attempt to force the government to back down.
On Thursday, Ms Rayner's office confirmed the former barracks will be converted for detained asylum seekers. A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson said: "The Secretary of State has granted full planning permission for the temporary, phased use of the former MoD Bicester storage site."
"As the decision may be subject to legal challenge, it would not be appropriate to comment further."
Home Office Welcomes Approval
The Home Office welcomed the green light, though officials insisted no final decision to go ahead has been made. A spokesperson for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's department said: "Planning permission allows us to continue to progress the use of MoD Bicester. However, a final decision to proceed is yet to be taken.
"The government is working on a fairer distribution of asylum accommodation across the country, with over £1 billion saved in costs since the election. This includes 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 minimise the impact on the local community."
Objectors Vow to Fight On
Objectors now have a six-week window to launch a legal challenge against the ruling. Parish councillor Joe Marshall told the Press Association the decision has sparked anger and frustration, accusing ministers of "walking all over rural communities".
He said: "I think it's fair to say that what we're doing is a movement. It's not a movement about the asylum crisis, it's more of a movement associated with governments walking all over small rural communities."
Insisting the site is not a "viable" option, Mr Marshall vowed the fight will go on. "We're all 100% on the same page that we have to challenge this and we will challenge this," he said.
Opposition politicians also criticised the decision. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: "Angela Rayner and the Labour government have betrayed the people of Piddington and Bicester by abusing their powers."
Liberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock Calum Miller said he was "deeply disappointed" after concerns were raised by residents and local councils, warning that major environmental objections forming the basis of a High Court challenge had been "simply ignored". He added: "Ministers have blundered ahead, ignoring the huge problems with this site - which has never previously had accommodation. I will continue to oppose this decision and demand full scrutiny of the costs and consequences for our communities. It is the wrong plan and the wrong site for local communities, asylum seekers and taxpayers."
