High Court Battle over Proposed Asylum Seeker Housing at Historical RAF Sites
The UK government's plans to host asylum seekers on sites of former Royal Air Force (RAF) bases have spurred a court battle. West Lindsey District Council together with Braintree District Council, are challenging these plans in the High Court.
West Lindsey and Braintree District Councils Take Legal Stand
The RAF bases in question have historical significance. RAF Scampton airfield, which was the operational base for the famed Dambusters during World War II, and RAF Wethersfield in Essex. The councils contend that earmarking such lands to host asylum seekers is unlawful.
Request for Judicial Review
Richard Wald KC, representing the West Lindsey District Council, addressed the judge, calling for a judicial review. He communicated the council bosses' assertion that the decision be quashed. “(The council) has to date invested over £370,000 in these once-in-a-generation redevelopment proposals as well as a vast amount of time and effort,” Wald said. He stressed that the redevelopment scheme's potential would be forfeited if the land were used for housing asylum seekers.
Further Legal Arguments
Lawyers also questioned the ministers' use of planning rules. They argued that ministers could not depend on "permitted development rights" as there was no "emergency". Concerns were also raised over asylum seekers being housed for longer than the initially envisaged 12 months. In response, Home Office ministers and Levelling up, Housing and Communities ministers reaffirmed their stance and declared that the "emergency" argument was "misplaced".