RAF Scampton: Legal challenge over the decision to house asylum seekers will go before a judge again
West Lindsey District Council have confirmed it's appeal will take place in June
Last updated 15th Mar 2024
A legal challenge over the decision to house asylum seekers at the former RAF Scampton site will go before a judge again later this year.
Around 2,000 migrants are due to be housed at the base.
In December at the High Court Mrs Justice Thornton dismissed West Lindsey District Council's Judicial Review claim that the Home Office acted unlawfully in their decision to use the site for asylum seeker accommodation.
But at the same time she granted to council leave to appeal.
The Council have confirmed the appeal will take place on the 11th and 12th June 2024.
West Lindsey District Council also says it understands the Home Office plans to extend the temporary use of the site for at least a further three years when certain permission expires next month.
Leader of West Lindsey District Council Cllr Trevor Young said:
“We understand the SDO still has not been laid but is imminent with the expiration of Class Q on 13 April 2024. Given the Home Office have been working on this for more than 12 months, it is quite incredible that they have taken this approach leaving the matter to the very last minute and assume the SDO will be granted.
“The Council was given the opportunity to provide our comments on this process where we raised various concerns, including impact on Heritage as well as the lack of information provided and the failure to ensure meaningful engagement with stakeholders and the local community.
“We have received a letter from the Home Office in response to the SDO and it does not address the Council’s concerns. It also makes it clear that a further Environmental Impact Assessment screening direction is to be sought, this will be the fourth screening direction requested on this site within a year which is wholly inappropriate.
"The legislation doesn’t make provision for ‘rolling EIA’ assessments and this shows that in the Council’s view the development proposal to accommodate up to 2000 asylum seekers at RAF Scampton has never had appropriate planning consent.”
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites provides more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats while reducing the use of hotels.
“We understand the concerns of local communities and are liaising with councils and local services to manage the impact of using these sites on a temporary basis.
“We remain committed to working with key partners to facilitate their visions for Scampton in the future.”