Protesters gathered this weekend to voice their opposition to controversial plans that would more than double the capacity of the Campsfield Immigration Centre in Oxfordshire, England. The facility, which currently holds up to 160 migrants, could be expanded to house 400 residents.
Campsfield Immigration Centre previously closed in 2018 following a review of detainee welfare and years of protests, including hunger strikes. It reopened in December of the previous year. Both Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council had previously opposed its reopening, and a recent demonstration saw approximately 20 protesters, joined by local politicians, councils, and trade unions, expressing their opposition to the expansion.
Liz Peretz, one of the protesters, stated that the incarceration of migrants seeking asylum, those with expired visas, or individuals who have completed criminal sentences is inhumane. She argued that alternative solutions should be utilized.
Plans to expand Campsfield are being processed through the Crown Development route, a pathway that bypasses local planning authorities due to the perceived national importance of the project. However, in response to approximately 250 objections submitted by residents, workers, councils, Members of Parliament, human rights advocates, and campaign groups, the Government's planning inspectorate has confirmed that a public inquiry will be held.
The Crown Development case team indicated that the application has generated significant local interest and that some of the issues raised are complex, necessitating formal cross-examination of evidence. A public inquiry is a formal, court-like legal process used to evaluate controversial development plans. The date, time, and venue for the inquiry will be published on the application website in due course.
The Home Office has been approached for comment.