Residents of two picturesque villages in the United Kingdom are protesting government plans to house thousands of male asylum seekers in former military barracks, citing concerns about crime, safety, and inadequate infrastructure. The proposals, aimed at ending the use of hotels for asylum seeker accommodation, would see former military bases in Linton-on-Ouse, Yorkshire, and Barnham, Suffolk, used to house approximately 3,750 individuals.
In Linton-on-Ouse, a village with a population of just 700, residents are preparing for the potential arrival of up to 1,200 asylum seekers at the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse base. This is not the first time the village has faced such a proposal; four years ago, plans to house 1,500 men at the same base were shelved following significant local outcry and a legal challenge. Now, under a new government, the plans have resurfaced, leading to widespread anxiety among residents. Signs stating "Wrong place, wrong time – stop the Linton-on-Ouse asylum centre" have appeared throughout the village, and police patrols have increased to "offer reassurance."
Residents voice apprehension about the impact on their community's peace and safety. Adrian Smith, a local business owner, reported a complete drying up of interest in his home, which he had placed on the market, since the announcement. He expressed concerns about the lack of infrastructure, noting only four buses a day and the absence of local shops, dentists, or doctors to support such a large influx of people. "To have 1,200 men moved into a village of 700 people is clearly ridiculous," Smith stated. Families living near the base also expressed fears for their children's safety, recounting past experiences with asylum seekers housed in hotels in York where groups of men were observed congregating and causing trouble.
The local council has also voiced objections. Carl Les, leader of North Yorkshire County Council, stated that while the council does not object to housing asylum seekers with dignity, Linton-on-Ouse is not an appropriate location for 1,200 single adult males. He described the plan as flawed and the site as inappropriate, a conclusion previously reached after a thorough investigation.
Similar concerns are being raised in Barnham, Suffolk, where plans are in place to house up to 1,250 asylum seekers at the former RAF Barnham base. The village, with a population of 580, lacks a shop or a pub. Residents have organized protests, with some expressing worry about potential crime and the impact on the local environment, particularly for children. Kerri Williams, a 25-year resident, stated that while she would give them the benefit of the doubt, "we just can't" due to observed increases in crime associated with such situations. West Suffolk Council has also publicly declared RAF Barnham as "the wrong site" for the accommodation.
The government, through Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris, has defended the move, stating, "We are moving asylum seekers into ex-military sites that are a far cry from the hotels the last government left us with. This is a system being brought back under control – and we will not stop until the job is done."