Council Objects to Migrant Housing Plan, Citing Ambiguity and Risks

Cherwell District Council in Oxfordshire has formally objected to Home Office proposals to house 1,256 male asylum seekers at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Bicester site near Piddington. The council argues the government's plans are "ambiguous" and pose "avoidable" risks.

The proposal has drawn significant opposition from Piddington, a village with a population of approximately 350. Residents recently voted to leave the UK in a symbolic independence "referendum" in protest.

In its response to the government's planning application, the district council criticized the lack of specific detail, stating that the Home Office submitted a "concept" rather than a "sufficiently defined full development." Key elements, including a proposed site layout, were missing from the application. The council noted that while the absence of evidence does not automatically prove harm, "unresolved ambiguity cannot be treated as a neutral factor" when the applicant bears the burden of demonstrating acceptable effects.

The council further asserted that "claimed urgency does not justify an avoidable risk to occupiers, local communities or the environment."

Concerns were raised about several potential issues at the former defense storage and distribution center. These include provisions for wastewater, susceptibility to surface-water flooding, ecological impacts, site access arrangements, and the overall effect on the local community. The council also called for an assessment of the site for potential asbestos-containing materials and unexploded ordnance.

Regarding site access, Piddington parish councillor Mike Nixon highlighted the lack of pedestrian access areas. The government suggested providing asylum seekers with high-visibility jackets for safety when walking along the busy B4011 road. However, the district council dismissed this, stating that "advice, high-visibility vests and encouragement to use a shuttle are not a safe pedestrian network and are considered to be a meaningless exercise that will not deviate natural behaviour and curiosity."

Thames Valley Police, in a draft response included in the council's objection, warned that the site's entrance could become a "focus for protest activity, creating potential conflict." The force also expressed concerns about residents' privacy due to the site's proximity to the B4011, increasing the risk of "observation, filming, harassment, hostile attention or protest."

The council emphasized that its objection is not based on the identity or status of the future residents but on the "land-use acceptability" of the proposed site and the "level of detail" submitted in the application. Approval for the application rests with Housing Secretary Angela Rayner.

A Home Office spokesman stated that the government is closing asylum hotels, saving taxpayers over £1 billion on asylum support since the election. "We are working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country, moving asylum seekers into alternative accommodation, including former military sites which are designed to be self-contained to reduce impact on the local community," the spokesman said. "As part of the process, we engage with local authorities and police forces to ensure the safety and security of those in the surrounding area."