Pressure on Government to abandon asylum seeker proposals at RAF Scampton
It's after plans for a heritage scheme at the site were drawn up
Last updated 21st Mar 2023
The pressure's building on the Government to rethink proposals to turn RAF Scampton into accommodation to house asylum seekers.
Last night a public meeting discussed the community's response.
The Government have only acknowledged they are looking at sites for asylum seekers but it's thought if it became reality hundreds could be located there.
Gainsborough's MP speaks about the issue in the House of Commons
There are real concerns a deal to develop the former base and turn it into a heritage site could be lost if the asylum seeker plan does become reality.
Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh met with the immigration minister Robert Jenrick to raise his concerns yesterday.
He also spoke in the House of Commons.
"We have developed a wonderful deal for RAF Scampton - the home of the Dambusters, the home of the Red Arrows, creating heritage, a space port, industry, hotels."
"The whole thing is at risk because the home office is marching in and is threatening to put 15 hundred migrants there."
"This is nothing to do with the fact that they're migrants or not migrants, it's the fact you cannot develop this site if it is held by the home office."
"Levelling up is at the heart of this budget and really we must have coordinated Government."
It's critical important to retain the heritage of RAF Scampton
We spoke to some of the people in the area who have raised concerns.
Jo O'Neill grew up on the base, where her dad spent 38 years of his service with the RAF
She attended the public meeting last night where the community were asked their views.
She told us: "My daughter, who's in her 20s she is not necessarily so passionate about the heritage of the site but is passionate about wanting to stay in the local area."
"She really believed and others also believed there would be over a thousand jobs created there and real opportunities for people."
"It's not only the critical importance of the site to retain the heritage of RAF Scampton but also to provide opportunity to want to stay in this local area so they feel they have something to be here for."