Plans to appeal RAF Scampton legal decision
West Lindsey District Councillors made the decision last night
It's been confirmed there WILL be an appeal into whether the home office's decision to house asylum seekers at the former RAF Scampton site is legal.
It's after the initial challenge failed.
West Lindsey district council took legal action against the home office claiming the move was unlawful because emergency planning rules hadn't been applied properly .
However earlier this month a judge ruled against them.
A council meeting last night decided to go ahead with an appeal.
This site is "not suitable for asylum seekers"
It's after the High Court judge who made the ruling gave the council leave to appeal the decision.
Councillors voted for an appeal following discussions and taking legal advice.
It must be submitted by 27, December.
Leader of the council Trevor Young says:
“It was important for us to challenge the decision taken by the government in March, and we strongly believe this is still the case now, given the findings from the legal proceedings.
"Our decision is strengthened by Mrs Justice Thornton who acknowledged ‘compelling grounds’ for us to appeal on all counts.”
Our landmark £300 million pound investment plans for the site are currently at risk
“Our decision was not taken lightly, but our position has always been clear that this site is not suitable for accommodating 2,000 single, adult male asylum seekers.
“And whilst it has been a challenging 10 months, since the Home Office announced its plans to use RAF Scampton – we have spent much longer working to secure a once in a generation deal for West Lindsey and Lincolnshire as a whole.
“This important historical base, which was once home of the Dambusters, is the perfect location for our landmark £300 million investment plan, which is currently at risk."
"We are compelled to take every possible step to safeguard this opportunity.”
Cllr Lesley Rollings, Chair of the Prosperous Communities Committee and Deputy Leader of West Lindsey District Council, said:
"This decision was the right thing to do to protect our communities."
Home office says the site is needed to reduce the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels
"She said: “We firmly believe protecting our communities as well as promoting the once in a life-time investment opportunity and associated benefits for the district and beyond, justifies our ongoing fight."
“We simply can’t forget just how significant this opportunity is for West Lindsey and beyond. This commercial activity would bring aerospace, aviation, heritage, hospitality, tourism, education, research and much more right here in our County.
"The proposal by the Home Office puts all this at significant risk."
"We are dedicated to securing a resolution that aligns with our community's best interests and preserves the potential for positive impact."
“We appreciate the support we have had from our community, our businesses and partners and we hope you will continue to support us.”
The Home office has previously said it needs the site to reduce the cost of putting up migrants in hotels.