Home Office approves Bicester asylum centre despite local opposition

Summarised from 3 outlets · 13 reports · Updated 14 Nov, 06:00 · Archive

The Home Office has approved plans to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers at a former military site near Bicester for up to ten years.

The Home Office has approved plans to house up to 1,256 single male, non-detained asylum seekers at Bicester MoD Site A for up to ten years. Communities Secretary Angela Rayner granted approval through the Urgent Crown Development process, a fast-track route for projects deemed urgently needed and of national importance. This process sends applications directly to the Housing Secretary, bypassing Cherwell District Council's normal planning system.

Bicester Town Council said it was 'deeply disappointed' that approval was granted despite strong objections. The council cited concerns about the suitability of the site, pressure on local infrastructure, community safety and a lack of meaningful consultation. It said it would prepare a formal response to the Government and continue to represent the interests of Bicester and surrounding communities.

Oxfordshire County Council also expressed disappointment. It warned it cannot guarantee the safety of pedestrians and cyclists around the site, highlighting the lack of safe pedestrian and cycling routes, no pavements on surrounding 60mph roads, poor connections to nearby settlements and a lack of bus services, cycleways and street lighting. The authority raised concerns about clarity over healthcare, mental health support, adult social care and safeguarding.

Counsillor Kate Gregory said the decision gave limited consideration to the impact on nearby communities and that the council had not seen a sufficiently developed community engagement plan. She pledged the authority would continue opposing the proposal alongside other councils.

Local opposition remains strong. Piddington parish council chairman Tim McNally warned the government to 'prepare for a legal challenge', saying there would be 'many actions' by villagers. He indicated he was looking at applying the new Hillsborough Law to compel transparency from public officials. Calum Miller, Bicester and Woodstock MP, said ministers had 'blundered ahead' while 'ignoring' opposition, calling the plan 'the wrong plan and the wrong site for local communities, asylum seekers and taxpayers'.

How it is being reported

• Government told to 'prepare for legal challenge' over asylum camp approvalA controversial asylum seeker camp near Bicester has been approved as those living closest to it warn the government to "prepare for a legal challenge".Oxfordshire Guardian · 14 Nov, 05:00
• Government told to 'prepare for legal challenge' over asylum camp approvalA controversial asylum seeker camp near Bicester has been approved as those living closest to it warn the government to "prepare for a legal challenge".Oxford Mail · 14 Nov, 05:00
• Bicester asylum site 'is not safe', warns 'disappointed' Oxfordshire councilOxfordshire County Council says the approved Bicester MoD asylum seeker site for up to 1,256 men is unsafe, citing poor routes and pressures on services.Oxfordshire Guardian · 13 Nov, 20:00
• Bicester asylum site 'is not safe', warns 'disappointed' Oxfordshire councilOxfordshire County Council says the approved Bicester MoD asylum seeker site for up to 1,256 men is unsafe, citing poor routes and pressures on services.Oxford Mail · 13 Nov, 20:00
• ‘Local residents will be angry’: Councils ‘disappointed’ as asylum plans approved for camp near BicesterThe site near the village of Piddington could accommodate up to 1,256 asylum seekers after the Government approved planning permission.Banbury Guardian · 13 Nov, 15:13
• Town council 'deeply disappointed' by Home Office asylum camp approvalBicester Town Council says it is "deeply disappointed" by the Home Office's decision to approve plans for up to 1,256 asylum seekers at its former military site.Oxford Mail · 13 Nov, 12:47
• Town council 'deeply disappointed' by Home Office asylum camp approvalBicester Town Council says it is "deeply disappointed" by the Home Office's decision to approve plans for up to 1,256 asylum seekers at its former military site.Oxfordshire Guardian · 13 Nov, 12:47
• Thames Valley MPs furious after asylum centre plans near Bicester win approvalFurious Buckinghamshire MPs have condemned the Government’s approval of plans for an asylum centre near Bicester.Oxford Mail · 13 Nov, 12:18
• Thames Valley MPs furious after asylum centre plans near Bicester win approvalFurious Buckinghamshire MPs have condemned the Government’s approval of plans for an asylum centre near Bicester.Oxfordshire Guardian · 13 Nov, 12:18
• National defence fears raised over approved Bicester asylum centreNational defence fears have been raised over plans to house asylum seekers at MOD Bicester, amid concerns about the nearby bomb disposal training unitOxford Mail · 13 Nov, 11:59
• National defence fears raised over approved Bicester asylum centreNational defence fears have been raised over plans to house asylum seekers at MOD Bicester, amid concerns about the nearby bomb disposal training unitOxfordshire Guardian · 13 Nov, 11:59
• Controversial Bicester asylum seeker camp approved - live updatesPlans for an asylum seeker camp near Bicester have been approved.Oxford Mail · 13 Nov, 07:54
• Controversial Bicester asylum seeker camp approved - live updatesPlans for an asylum seeker camp near Bicester have been approved.Oxfordshire Guardian · 13 Nov, 07:54

In this story: Home Office · Bicester Town Council · Oxfordshire County Council · Angela Rayner · Bicester · Calum Miller · Tim McNally · Kate Gregory

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