High Court decision on further legal action over the former RAF Scampton base delayed
West Lindsey District Council is trying to halt Home Office plans to house asylum seekers at the former base
A High Court decision on West Lindsey District Council's bid to bring legal action over plans to house asylum seekers at the former RAF Scampton base has been delayed.
It follows a two day hearing in London where the Council are fighting for a Judicial Review which could halt plans for the site.
At the High Court in London today it 'reserved judgement' meaning the outcome will be heard at a later date.
Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, attended the High Court hearing and explained the Council will now have to wait a little longer for the judgement. She said:
“West Lindsey District Council has always been clear that the decision to utilise RAF Scampton as a centre for asylum accommodation puts at risk the £300m investment and our regeneration plan.
“We have challenged the Home Office decision to utilise this site on the grounds that it failed to take into account important material factors such as the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan and the regeneration proposals.
“Equally, we have always maintained that RAF Scampton would be a challenging site on which to deliver asylum accommodation, due to its previous use as an operational airfield and the important heritage assets, which require on going protection and preservation.”
The Home Office say the site is ‘urgently needed’ to reduce the cost of hotels for migrants.