Ground gases and unexploded ordnance found at the former RAF Scampton site
The site is due to house hundreds of asylum seekers
Last updated 3rd Apr 2024
A Government letter which is looking into the impact of using RAF Scampton as asylum accommodation has revealed land at the former air base is 'contaminated', potentially posing a risk to human health.
The Home Office are looking to house hundreds of migrants there as an alternative to hotels.
Several risks such as ground gases and unexploded ordnance have been identified at the site.
In the letter from the Minister of State for Housing, Planning and Building Safety, Lee Rowley, stated 'these risks could mean the site is not suitable for its intended use' .
The issues have been considered as part of an Environmental Impact Assessment screening. But as appropriate works will be carried out before construction or occupation - the North East Derbyshire MP says 'the risks to human health are not likely to be significant'.
Recently the Home Office confirmed that it has laid a Special Development Order (SDO) in Parliament for its continued use of the former RAF Scampton as an asylum accommodation centre.
The SDO gives planning permission for the Secretary of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities to extend the use of the asylum accommodation centre at Scampton for a further three years.
This comes as emergency permitted development rights (known as Class Q) expired in April.
The Home Office previously confirmed it has decided to cap the regular occupancy at Scampton to a maximum of 800 service users from the original 2,000 at the site with a caveat to extend this by a further 300 if needed.
Plans to house migrants at the site has faced significant opposition from local people.
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.
“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.”