West Lindsey District Council has put measures in place to take necessary legal action against the Home Office as it remains committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing RAF Scampton, for the long-term sustainable benefit of its communities.
Following today’s announcement from the Home Office, Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning, Regeneration and Communities at West Lindsey District Council, said:“We are extremely disappointed with today’s announcement, but we have been preparing for all eventualities. We are in constant dialogue with the Home Office to seek to demonstrate to them that RAF Scampton would not be an appropriate site for asylum accommodation. Any move to use the site for asylum seekers would likely curtail the nationally significant plans, which the Council has been working on since 2018. Simultaneously we are considering all legal options, including urgent judicial review proceedings.”
The move by the Council, comes after weeks of speculation and ‘not knowing’ which way the Home Office will go on this matter, putting its ground-breaking deal with Scampton Holdings Ltd for a £300 million investment, in jeopardy after years of planning.
Sally added:“The Council is working with public service authorities across Lincolnshire and has highlighted in writing to the Home Office what it considers to be a significant number of barriers for mobilising the site for asylum use. The Home Office has committed to chairing a Lincolnshire multi-agency forum prior to any work starting on site.
The Council has a responsibility to get the best deal for its residents and will continue to do everything to support the community and that also means working with the Home Office and partners in Lincolnshire to fully understand and support those who live and work in and around Scampton.”
