Home Office officials have declined to provide guarantees that the number of migrants housed at three former military barracks will not significantly exceed initial estimates, according to minutes from a private meeting with councillors. The refusal has led to concerns from local officials and residents that the planned capacities at sites like RAF Barnham in Norfolk could be substantially increased.
During the meeting, when pressed on whether numbers at RAF Barnham could surpass the publicly stated figure of 1,250, Home Office officials reportedly stated, 'It could be a lot more.' They also revealed plans to explore increasing the capacity at RAF Wethersfield in Essex, which began housing migrants in July 2023. While currently accommodating around 700 to 800 people, officials are examining the feasibility of raising this to at least 1,220 in the coming months.
Critics have suggested these disclosures indicate the Home Office may not be fully transparent about its intentions, potentially to ease the approval process for these sites. The planned locations for these migrant accommodations include former RAF bases in Bicester, Oxfordshire, and Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, in addition to RAF Barnham.
Scott Hussey, a Reform UK councillor for Norfolk County Council who attended the meeting regarding RAF Barnham, expressed concern that the situation could lead to a large, semi-permanent migrant facility near a small village and market town. He noted that with ongoing migrant arrivals, demand is likely to increase, and suggested similar expansion plans might be in place for other military bases nationwide.
Michael Hadwen, leader of Suffolk County Council, echoed these sentiments, accusing the Home Office of shifting its position and not being transparent about the numbers. He warned that continued perceived dishonesty could impact the safety of the sites if police resources are stretched.
Tory MP Nick Timothy voiced similar criticisms, calling the situation a "disgrace" and highlighting secrecy surrounding the announcements, particularly made after Parliament's summer recess. He raised concerns about public safety and the impact on local life.
Professor Olga Matthias, spokesperson for the Linton-on-Ouse Action Group, also believes the stated numbers are not the full picture, anticipating a higher intake of people. The Home Office has indicated plans to house 3,750 migrants across the three former RAF bases, with 1,250 at RAF Barnham and 1,200 at RAF Linton-on-Ouse. However, residents in these areas point out that these numbers would already outnumber the local populations.
The Home Office has submitted an 'Urgent Crown Development' bid, a mechanism that could allow it to bypass local planning authorities for the three sites. This development follows a significant increase in small boat migrant arrivals in the UK since July 2024.
Zia Yusuf, Reform UK's home affairs spokesman, criticized the Home Office's approach, stating the focus should be on stopping illegal immigration rather than expanding accommodation. He argued that small communities lack the infrastructure to absorb thousands of additional migrants.
Essex County Council has announced plans to deploy private security guards in Braintree, Colchester, and Chelmsford to address community concerns related to asylum seekers bussed in from the Wethersfield facility. Councillor Peter Harris of Essex County Council stated these measures are intended to reassure residents, particularly women and girls, given the expected increase in asylum seeker numbers.
A Home Office spokesperson affirmed their commitment to closing asylum hotels and relocating asylum seekers to alternative accommodations, including former military sites. They stated efforts are underway to house asylum seekers equitably across the country and to reduce the burden on local communities and taxpayers, citing a £1 billion reduction in asylum costs since the general election.