Contest Over RAF Scampton Asylum Seeker Centre Continues
Residents of RAF Scampton along with campaigners and West Lindsey District Council are preparing for an impending judicial review of a Home Office plan. Despite considerable opposition, the proposed scheme is to convert the village's historic airbase into a centre housing up to 2,000 asylum seekers mainly from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Iran. Also, the Home Office aims to make the camp fully operational by Christmas.
Judicial review set for end of October
The West Lindsey District Council and campaigners are scheduled to present their case against the scheme at the High Court in London on October 31 and November 1. The offence is that the Home Office's method for housing asylum seekers at RAF Scampton is unlawful. They contest the government’s erroneous reliance on the Environmental Impact Assessment screening decision and Class Q emergency planning permission.
Resistance from different quarters
Similar objections arise from Braintree District Council and resident Gabriel Clarke-Holland, who challenge the government's proposal of providing for 1,700 asylum seekers at RAF Wethersfield. Resistance is growing against the Home Office's plans despite it professing to have carried out their plans for Scampton lawfully.
"We received almost 45,000 asylum seeker arrivals in the UK on small boats in 2022, nearly double the numbers from last year", stated Paul Brown KC, advocating for the Secretary of State for the Home Department.
Gathered residents express worry and hope
Sarah Carter, an RAF Scampton resident and leader of the Save Our Scampton campaign group, holds an optimistic yet cautious view towards the outcome of the review. She stays prepared with a backup plan, exploring other legal options should the decision fall against them. Carter expresses her confidence in the likelihood of the judge ruling in their favour, given that the West Lindsey District Council took the step to question the scheme at the judicial review.
Another resident Debbie Rawding, 61, admits feeling anxious and nervous but hopes for a positive judgement. She voices concerns over changes to their community with the proposed conversion into an asylum centre.
The impact on the community and local area development
Jason Bayliss, 54, a fellow resident, discusses the stress and impact on their lives due to decisions made afar. He highlights how these plans disrupt a £300 million major redevelopment initiative by Scampton Holdings Ltd, aimed to make RAF Scampton a mark of the aerospace industry.
Scampton Councillor Roger Patterson (Conservative) remains fairly positive about the review as he believes planning laws stand in their favour. Despite his optimism, he confesses being unsure of alternatives should the verdict go against them.