It's claimed the Home Office are still ignoring ban on work at RAF Scampton
West Lindsey District Council says work has continued at the former base despite a legal stop notice being in place
It's claimed the Home Office is still ignoring a legal notice which bans them from carrying out work at the former RAF Scampton site.
Preparations have been taking place to accommodate asylum seekers at the former base.
West Lindsey District Council says it's had repeated assurances the notice is being observed.
However it's carried out a recent inspection and found the number of portacabins had dramatically increased since they were last monitored.
It also say the refurbishment to existing buildings was almost complete.
The council says the legal notice means work shouldn't take place ahead of a judicial review in two weeks time. It's due to take place on the 31st October.
The Home Office say housing migrants is essential to reduce the cost of using hotels.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Trevor Young says the progress observed on site by officers aligns with reports the Council has received from members of the public.
Cllr Young said: “It is clear from our most recent site visit that despite repeated assurances, the Home Office have breached the Stop Notice and continued with the unlawful development of the site at RAF Scampton.
“The Council continues to be inundated with intelligence from the community regarding daily activity and we cannot thank the community enough for their ongoing support through this difficult time.
“We have always been clear that the Home Office must not use RAF Scampton as a site to accommodate asylum seekers until the Judicial Review proceedings have completed. I reiterate that we are now merely two weeks away, surely the logical approach is to allow the justice system to do its job.”
The Home Office plans to use the site to accommodate 2,000 asylum seekers, for an unknown time frame.
West Lindsey District Council’s Director of Planning Regeneration and Communities Sally Grindrod-Smith said: “It has been an incredibly frustrating and worrying time for our community. We have had many messages from concerned residents reporting ongoing activity and seeking to understand why the Council and the Police are not taking further action to stop works on site. This is because the site is what is known as ‘Crown Land’. This means that it is owned by the Government and so a local council can not undertake physical enforcement action.
“The Home Office have not challenged the legality of the Stop Notice; however, it is clear they have not adhered to it. This week we have again written to the Home Office to reiterate that the Stop Notice prohibits RAF Scampton from housing asylum seekers until such time as the Stop Notice is withdrawn by the Council."
A spokesperson for the Home Office has 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."
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