Residents of the Oxfordshire village of Piddington are holding a non-binding referendum on Tuesday to protest government plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers in their community. The village, which has a population of approximately 350, faces the prospect of being home to nearly four times its current population in a former Ministry of Defence site.
Community Opposition
The referendum is the latest in a series of actions by Piddington residents, primarily women, to voice their opposition to the plan. A group of 133 women in the village, who would be outnumbered almost ten to one by the proposed new arrivals, released an open letter to female Members of Parliament and an online video. The video has garnered over 2 million views.
Paula Senior, a 61-year-old resident who moved to Piddington three years ago seeking peace, expressed her anxieties. She stated that the planned facility, located just 650 yards from her home, causes her sleepless nights. She also voiced concerns about personal safety, stating that the camp's security measures would protect its inhabitants rather than the local community.
Another resident, Deborah Swift, 64, participated in the online video to highlight concerns about the number of unvetted men being housed in the village. She pointed out the proximity of the former MoD site to Piddington Reserve, a local field used by children and dog walkers.
Joe Marshall, a Piddington parish councillor and planning expert, noted that the application would typically face significant hurdles due to discrepancies in the documentation. However, he explained that the designation of the project as an Urgent Crown Development allows it to be approved directly by the Secretary of State, bypassing standard planning procedures.
Government's Asylum Accommodation Strategy
The government's plan to redevelop former military sites for asylum seekers is part of a broader strategy to move away from using hotels for accommodation. This initiative aims to house asylum seekers in alternative facilities across the country. Two such sites are already operational in Wethersfield, Essex, and Crowford, East Sussex.
A Home Office spokesperson stated that the government is committed to closing asylum hotels and utilizing former military sites. The department is working with local authorities to manage the impact on communities and has reported over £1 billion in savings on asylum support costs since the last election.
The Piddington referendum results are expected to be announced on Wednesday morning, just before the consultation period for the project concludes. The vote is intended to draw attention to the community's strong opposition to the proposed asylum centre.
