Hopes work on Scampton regeneration could begin before the end of the year
The proposals were put back due to plans for asylum seekers there
A year since it was confirmed the former RAF Scampton site would house asylum seekers - we're hearing that work on the regeneration plans for the site COULD begin by the end of the year,
It follows the Government's announcement that the number of migrants being relocated to the former airbase would now be reduced - from a maximum of 2,000 - to just 800.
Peter Hewitt is the Chairman of Scampton Holdings Limited - who are the firm behind the proposed 300 million pound plans for the base
The real issue is ensuring that the migrants' camp is properly fenced off
He gave us the latest.
"Well I think the key thing for us is to be able to access the hangars and the air side - in other words the runways and all the taxi ways and so on - together with a fair bit of the other parts of the site which we'd originally planned to redevelop."
"The real issue is ensuring that the migrants' camp is properly fenced off - have its own access and is secure."
"My understanding is that they will principally will be using the existing accommodation blocks and that's fine."
"We obviously have some red lines as far as the site goes - particularly when it comes to airside operations so we'll need the portacabins, the taxi ways - maybe it's a phasing process but we'll see."
The Home Office says they're working with local communities
"The frustrating thing is we have loads of companies who want to come and reside in one form or another at Scampton both airside operators as well as people who jut want to be in that kind of environment."
"And we can't tell them anything."
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“We have always been clear that the use of asylum hotels is unacceptable which is why we acted swiftly to move asylum seekers on to barges and former military sites, reducing the impact on local communities. We’re delivering on our plan by closing one hundred asylum hotels by the end of March.
“Planning permission has been granted to extend the use of Scampton and Wethersfield for three years under two Special Development Orders.
“We are working closely to listen to the local communities’ views and to reduce the impact of these sites, including through providing onsite security and financial support.”