Government approves asylum centre near Bicester despite local opposition

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 01:08 · Archive

The Government has granted planning permission for a former military site near Bicester to house up to 1,256 asylum seekers.

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner has granted planning permission for a former Ministry of Defence site near Piddington, Oxfordshire, to be used for asylum accommodation for up to 1,256 people. The decision follows local opposition from residents and officials in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire.

Buckinghamshire MPs condemned the approval. Greg Smith, Conservative MP for Mid Bucks, called the decision a 'disaster' and said the Government 'don't give two hoots about us here in Bucks'. He said he would explore 'every avenue' to overturn the decision and work with police to protect nearby villages. Joy Morrissey, Conservative MP for Beaconsfield, alleged the Government had 'put illegal migrant men before the safety of women and girls' and said the use of emergency powers showed 'complete contempt for the concerns of residents'.

Buckinghamshire Council leader Steven Broadbent said the Government had failed to properly engage with communities. He stated the council had formally opposed the plans, written to the Government twice and submitted a response despite limited timescales. He said concerns about impacts on services, infrastructure and how the site would operate had not been adequately answered, adding there had been 'no meaningful engagement' with the council or local community.

The Home Office has said a final decision to proceed has not yet been made.

How it is being reported

• Bucks council leader says concerns were ignored as Bicester asylum plans win approvalBuckinghamshire Council’s leader has criticised the Government for failing to properly engage with communities after granting planning permission for asylum accommodation at a former military site near Bicester.Bucks Free Press · 13 Nov, 20:00
• Bucks MPs slam "disaster" as Government approves plans for asylum centre near BicesterFurious Buckinghamshire MPs have condemned the Government’s approval of plans for an asylum centre near Bicester.Bucks Herald · 13 Nov, 12:36
• Bucks MPs furious after asylum centre plans near Bicester win planning approvalFurious Buckinghamshire MPs have condemned the Government’s approval of plans for an asylum centre near Bicester.Bucks Free Press · 13 Nov, 12:04

In this story: Angela Rayner · Greg Smith · Joy Morrissey · Steven Broadbent · Bicester · Piddington · Buckinghamshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log