West Lindsey District Council want government to halt RAF Scampton asylum plans

Ministers are now being urged to remove RAF Scampton from its list of possible places for asylum seeker accommodation

The Home Office confirmed yesterday it IS looking at the site but that no decision has yet been made

Now West Lindsey District Council are now calling on the Government to take action against any consideration of the former air base, which they say would prevent the realisation of their £300 million pound investment plan to transform the air base

Cllr Owen Bierley, Leader of West Lindsey District Council said:

“The idea that RAF Scampton is even being considered gives me significant cause for concern particularly in relation to our local community, who have already been in contact, especially given the fact it is anticipated that 1,500 single males could be moved to the location.

“Given that the site has poor public transport connectivity and is remote in nature to services, we consider that this site is not

suitable for the accommodation of asylum seekers, quite apart from the terminal effect such use would have on the important development scheme underway there.

“The issue of housing asylum seekers is not new yet this idea of using the site at Scampton appears to have come out of nowhere, as the Home Office did not express an interest in purchasing the site, when the Council started a very detailed and thorough procurement process.

“Our interest in the site has always been to support our communities. As many of you will know Lincolnshire has a long history of ex Mod sites being disposed of particularly in West Lindsey.

A government spokesperson said:

“We have always been upfront about the unprecedented pressure being put on our asylum system, brought about by a significant increase in dangerous and illegal journeys into the country.

“We continue to work across government and with local authorities to look at identify a range of accommodation options and sites.

“The government remains committed to engaging with local authorities and key stakeholders as part of this process”