West Lindsey District Council says 'activity continues' at Scampton
It issued a stop notice to the Home Office last month after concerns over potential breaches of planning control
Last updated 4th Oct 2023
West Lindsey District Council say work by the Home Office continues at the former RAF Scampton site to house asylum seekers, despite it issuing a Stop Notice to them.
The Council received written confirmation yesterday (3 October) from the Home Office confirming all work has stopped in compliance with the Stop Order issued on the 22nd September.
However Enforcement Officers from the Council have been observing from the perimeter of the site daily and say "its' clear activity persists".
The Stop Notice relates to the following unlawful uses of RAF Scampton:
(1) Without planning permission, the making of a material change of use of the site to
accommodation for asylum seekers.
(2) Without planning permission, the carrying out of operational development to facilitate the
use of the site in connection with the unauthorised use of the site to accommodate
asylum seekers as follows:
• The siting of Portakabins to house asylum seekers; and
• Significant and invasive groundworks in order to make the necessary utilities
connections to accommodate asylum seekers on the site.
And it required as follows the Home Office:
(1) Ceases using the site as accommodation for asylum seekers.
(2) Removes any asylum seekers residing on the site.
(3) Ceases operational development works to site Portakabins on the site and ancillary
works associated with the siting of the Portakabins such as utility connections, any hard
standing, fencing to enclose the Portakabins.
(4) Ceases all intrusive groundworks on the site.
(5) Restores the site to its original condition.
The Council says the Home Office has not challenged the Stop Notice.
West Lindsey District Council says it's been refused access to the site to undertake routine enforcement monitoring.
We have approached the Home Office for comment. They've previously said:
"Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites provides cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats whilst helping to reduce the use of hotels.
"We are confident our project, which will house asylum seekers in basic, safe and secure accommodation, meets the planning requirements."