The Home Office has been told by West Lindsey District Council that it can’t create asylum seeker accommodation on a postcode lottery based on the availability of crown land.
The robust comment from Council Leader Trevor Young is in response to news that the Home Office is seeking planning permission for the use of RAF Scampton for asylum seeker accommodation for three and a half years from April.
The Government is basing its application on an Environmental Impact Assessment Screening Direction which it hopes will form the basis of creating a Special Development Order as a route to planning consent.
Councillor Young is urging the Home Office to reconsider the SDO proposal. He said: “The Government has not only failed to understand the complexity of the site through its inadequate Environment Impact Assessment, but it has also failed to engage properly with local people throughout the process leading to significant anxiety within the community.
“RAF Scampton is wholly unsuitable for the purpose they propose and as such they need to engage in meaningful consultation with all future stakeholders to ensure a balanced and sustainable approach to addressing asylum seeker accommodation needs is developed nationally. It can’t simply continue to be a postcode lottery based on the availability of Crown Land alone.”
The council has launch new judicial review proceedings, and has told the Home Office it believes the plans
- are in direct conflict with the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan and a fundamental undermining of the government’s own legislation and guidance
- would cause arm to listed buildings, monuments and their settings
- would mean inappropriate intensification of population in an unsustainable rural area
- are unacceptable impact on strategic infrastructure including highways, health, education and utilities
- fail to meet requirements for the protection of important species and disregard for the new Biodiversity Net Gain requirements
Councillor Young added: “The Council’s decision demonstrates our commitment to hold the Government to account in relation to its decision to use RAF Scampton for the purposes of housing, 2,000 male asylum seekers.
“The airbase is a place with significant history. It was once home to the Dambusters. It is important for us to preserve the historical and architectural integrity of the listed structures and the setting at RAF Scampton as they contribute significantly to the cultural heritage of the area.
“Not only is the site of national importance it is also key to unlocking our £300 million regeneration investment in the district and it needs to be protected to safeguard the unique investment that is knocking at our door.”
