Government 'welcomes' RAF Scampton asylum plan judgment
The government has welcomed a judgment permitting the use of two former RAF sites, including the World War Two home of the Dambusters in Lincolnshire, to house thousands of asylum seekers.
In a statement following the ruling, a government spokesperson said: “We welcome the judgment which was in the Home Office's favour.
“Using surplus military sites provides more orderly accommodation for those arriving in small boats while reducing the use of hotels, as we continue to deliver our plan to stop the boats.
“We are working with councils and key partners to manage the impact of using these sites, including liaising with local police to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place.”
West Lindsey Council considers appeal over High Court ruling
The leader of West Lindsey District Council, Trevor Young, has said he is "disappointed" at the judgment handed down by the High Court this afternoon.
Trevor YoungCopyright: Trevor Young
However, Mr Young said the authority had already been given leave to appeal against the decision to allow up to 2,000 asylum seekers to be housed at the former RAF Scampton.
Mr Young said a decision on whether to appeal "will be carefully considered" over the next few days.
"We've always said it was the wrong place and we still believe that," he added.
Home Office's RAF Scampton plans 'abhorrent' - campaigner
Ahead of the High Court judgment, Sarah Carter, who lives near the former RAF Scampton site, pitched a large tent just outside the camp's boundary to stage a round-the-clock protest.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Reacting to today's ruling, Ms Carter vowed to carry on "fighting".
She said the Home Office's plans for up to 2,000 asylum seekers at the former home of the Dambusters were "abhorrent".
She added that was true "not just for residents, but for asylum seekers, too".
RAF Scampton ruling 'unfair on both sides' - local resident
Jo Makel
BBC Look North
Local resident Amanda Trigg says the High Court's ruling over the former RAF Scampton site has "knocked me for six".
Jo Makel/BBCCopyright: Jo Makel/BBC
"A lot of people have been very vocal about how they feel, [and] it almost feels a bit like being bullied," she tells me.
Ms Trigg, who has two children at the local primary school, says is was also concerned for the asylum seekers who will be accommodated at the site.
"It's in the middle of nowhere. It feels unfair on both sides," she says.
Analysis: 'Emergency' provision at heart of High Court ruling
Sharon Edwards
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Lincolnshire
The case at the centre of the High Court's judgment on the future of the former RAF Scampton site pivoted around a little-known paragraph in planning law known as "Class Q".
In effect, it gives the government the power to grant itself planning permission for a project in the case of an "emergency".
That permission runs out after a year.
West Lindsey and Braintree councils argued the Home Office misused Class Q by over-stretching the term '"emergency' in relation to the need to find accommodation for asylum seekers.
It should only be used in rare cases such as natural disasters, they said.
But in her judgment today, Mrs Justice Thornton dismissed the claims for a judicial review.
She said the then Home Secretary Suella Braverman was correct to use the powers when faced with the threat of asylum seekers becoming homeless.
West Lindsey Council to appeal against judgment, MP says
Gainsborough Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh, whose constituency covers Scampton, says he is "disappointed" at the outcome of the High Court judicial review.
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media
However, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sir Edward said he understood that West Lindsey District Council intended to appeal.
"They have my full support and the stop notices remain in place," he said.
Sir Edward had previously said he stood with local residents in opposing the plans.
"We should be considering this on its merits, and there are no merits in the proposal," he told the BBC in November.
"I'm the local Member of Parliament and it's not for me to be a creature of the government when my constituents are being treated in this way," he added.
High Court also finds against Essex council over asylum site plan
West Lindsey District Council was one of two councils to oppose Home Office plans to house asylum seekers at former RAF bases.
Joe Giddens/PA WireCopyright: Joe Giddens/PA Wire
Braintree District Council in Essex had made a similar complaint in relation to plans for land that once formed part of RAF Wethersfield (pictured above).
A local resident, Gabriel Clarke-Holland, had also challenged plans for Wethersfield.
Home Office ministers and Levelling Up, Housing and Communities ministers had fought the councils' claims.
This was 'crunch day' for ex-RAF Scampton site - campaigner
Harry Parkhill
BBC Radio Lincolnshire
Ahead of the High Court ruling, a campaigner against Home Office plans to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers at the former home of the Dambusters and the Red Arrows had described it as "crunch day".
Harry Parkhill/BBCCopyright: Harry Parkhill/BBC
Roger Phillips, who lives in Lincoln, told me: "I must admit I was a little bit nervous last night.
"I knew this was coming for the last seven months, but it’s crunch day today."
He told me he supported the planned £300m regeneration of the site, which was agreed in March between West Lindsey District Council and Scampton Holdings Ltd.
Mr Phillips, who said his father spent 47 years in the forces, added that he had spent "most days" at the site "to give support" to others opposing the government's plans to house asylum seekers there.
Government’s use of emergency powers 'appropriate' - ruling
Sharon Edwards
Political reporter, BBC Lincolnshire
West Lindsey District Council, which covers Scampton, had brought the judicial review against the Home Office.
The council claimed the government had misused its powers by granting itself permission to use the site without having to apply for planning permission.
During a two-day hearing in the autumn, lawyers for the authority argued that the true intention had always been to house asylum seekers there for longer than the stated one year.
The Home Office argued that although a longer duration had been discussed, no decision had been made to extend the term until late October.
In her judgment today, Mrs Justice Thornton said the government’s use of emergency powers was appropriate given the Home Office’s contention that asylum seekers could become destitute if more accommodation was not found beyond the use of hotels.
Asylum seeker plan for RAF Scampton site gets go-ahead
Sharon Edwards
Political reporter, BBC Lincolnshire
Up to 2,000 asylum seekers will be allowed to be housed at the former RAF Scampton, a High Court judge has ruled.
After a legal battle lasting several months between the Home Office and West Lindsey District Council, the government has successfully defended its plans to use the site as an asylum centre
It can now be used to accommodate what the government says will be mainly young, single men from countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya.
But exactly when they will be moved on to the site in Lincolnshire remains uncertain as anecdotal reports claim that work on preparing the site is not yet completed.
More to follow...
BreakingCouncil loses legal bid over RAF Scampton asylum seeker camp plan
Up to 2,000 asylum seekers will be allowed to be housed at the former RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, a High Court judge has ruled.
The Home Office has successfully defended its plans to use the site as an asylum centre following a legal battle lasting several months.
West Lindsey District Council had opposed the plans for the former home of the Dambusters and the Red Arrows.
'Unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers'
Sharon Edwards
Political reporter, BBC Lincolnshire
In October, Home Office lawyers told the High Court court that using emergency powers to house asylum seekers at sites like the former RAF Scampton was entirely appropriate given “the unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers” and “the absence of suitable accommodation”.
In its written submission to the High Court, the government said: “This is in the context of a possible 120,000-140,000 asylum seekers per year, where continued use of hotels is not sustainable due to cost and availability of hotels becoming more limited.”
During the two-day hearing in London, Home Office lawyers argued that it was "absurd" to suggest that the prospect of community tensions had not been considered.
They also insisted that no decision had been taken to extend the use of Scampton beyond the one year covered by the emergency powers until the end of October.
At the scene: Campaigners vow to fight on whatever today's decision
Harry Parkhill
BBC Radio Lincolnshire
There’s a sense of apprehension here at the camp outside the former RAF Scampton.
Harry Parkhill/BBCCopyright: Harry Parkhill/BBC
Protesters have been here in all types of weather over the past few months.
One of the campaigners has described today’s decision as “crunch time” for this long-running campaign.
But no matter what the judicial review brings, campaigners here tell me they’ll fight on regardless.
Campaigners 'nervously' await High Court judgment
Campaigner Rachel Green says she is nervous about the High Court ruling.
Harry Parkhill/BBCCopyright: Harry Parkhill/BBC
She tells the BBC: "I think logically we should be positive because the Home Office has been breaking the law consistently for weeks now, so if common sense prevails we’ll win.
"But I’m not so sure there’s much common sense going on at the moment."
Decision day over future of ex-RAF Scampton site
Sharon Edwards
Political reporter, BBC Lincolnshire
Today the High Court will deliver its judgment on a row that has been going on in public since March – and in private even longer than that.
BBCCopyright: BBC
RAF Scampton, the historic home of the Dambusters and the Red Arrows, is at the centre of a tug-of-war with national implications touching upon the hot political issue of migration.
In March, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick told the Commons that the site, which closed as an RAF station in 2022, had been earmarked to take asylum seekers, as well as at Wethersfield Airfield in Essex.
Following the Commons announcement, there was a flurry of activity from West Lindsey Council, in Lincolnshire, and Braintree Council, in Essex, to block the plans.
Both have been to the High Court several times in the months that followed – asking for, and failing, to win injunctions against the proposals.
But they did successfully win the right for a judicial review in the High Court, which is a way of challenging the legality of the Home Office decision - and today will see the result of that review being published.
Lawyers for both have argued that the government had misused emergency powers allowing it to bypass the usual requirement to obtain planning permission.
Home Office lawyers have insisted that preventing asylum seekers from becoming homeless is a true emergency in the spirit of the law.
Welcome to our live coverage of the High Court's RAF Scampton ruling
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the High Court's ruling on whether the former RAF Scampton site in Lincolnshire can be used to house asylum seekers.
Live Reporting
David McKenna
All times stated are UK
- Lincolnshire and Essex ex-RAF base asylum plan can progress - High Court
Callum Parke/PA WireCopyright: Callum Parke/PA Wire 
Trevor YoungCopyright: Trevor Young 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Jo Makel/BBCCopyright: Jo Makel/BBC 
REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoCopyright: REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo 
PA MediaCopyright: PA Media 
Joe Giddens/PA WireCopyright: Joe Giddens/PA Wire 
Harry Parkhill/BBCCopyright: Harry Parkhill/BBC 
Callum Parke/PA WireCopyright: Callum Parke/PA Wire 
REUTERS/Toby Melville/File PhotoCopyright: REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo 
Harry Parkhill/BBCCopyright: Harry Parkhill/BBC 
Harry Parkhill/BBCCopyright: Harry Parkhill/BBC 
BBCCopyright: BBC 
Callum Parke/PA WireCopyright: Callum Parke/PA Wire
Latest PostThat's all from our live coverage
That's the end of our live coverage of the High Court ruling on the government's asylum seeker camp plans for the RAF Scampton site.
Thanks for joining us this afternoon.
You can find out more about this story here:
Government 'welcomes' RAF Scampton asylum plan judgment
The government has welcomed a judgment permitting the use of two former RAF sites, including the World War Two home of the Dambusters in Lincolnshire, to house thousands of asylum seekers.
West Lindsey District Council had argued the use of land at RAF Scampton should be stopped.
Meanwhile, Braintree District Council in Essex, along with a local resident, had also challenged changes to ex-RAF Wethersfield.
However, in a judgment published on Wednesday, Mrs Justice Thornton dismissed the claims for a judicial review.
In a statement following the ruling, a government spokesperson said: “We welcome the judgment which was in the Home Office's favour.
“Using surplus military sites provides more orderly accommodation for those arriving in small boats while reducing the use of hotels, as we continue to deliver our plan to stop the boats.
“We are working with councils and key partners to manage the impact of using these sites, including liaising with local police to make sure appropriate arrangements are in place.”
West Lindsey Council considers appeal over High Court ruling
The leader of West Lindsey District Council, Trevor Young, has said he is "disappointed" at the judgment handed down by the High Court this afternoon.
However, Mr Young said the authority had already been given leave to appeal against the decision to allow up to 2,000 asylum seekers to be housed at the former RAF Scampton.
Mr Young said a decision on whether to appeal "will be carefully considered" over the next few days.
"We've always said it was the wrong place and we still believe that," he added.
Home Office's RAF Scampton plans 'abhorrent' - campaigner
Ahead of the High Court judgment, Sarah Carter, who lives near the former RAF Scampton site, pitched a large tent just outside the camp's boundary to stage a round-the-clock protest.
Reacting to today's ruling, Ms Carter vowed to carry on "fighting".
She said the Home Office's plans for up to 2,000 asylum seekers at the former home of the Dambusters were "abhorrent".
She added that was true "not just for residents, but for asylum seekers, too".
RAF Scampton ruling 'unfair on both sides' - local resident
Jo Makel
BBC Look North
Local resident Amanda Trigg says the High Court's ruling over the former RAF Scampton site has "knocked me for six".
"A lot of people have been very vocal about how they feel, [and] it almost feels a bit like being bullied," she tells me.
Ms Trigg, who has two children at the local primary school, says is was also concerned for the asylum seekers who will be accommodated at the site.
"It's in the middle of nowhere. It feels unfair on both sides," she says.
Analysis: 'Emergency' provision at heart of High Court ruling
Sharon Edwards
Political Reporter, BBC Radio Lincolnshire
The case at the centre of the High Court's judgment on the future of the former RAF Scampton site pivoted around a little-known paragraph in planning law known as "Class Q".
In effect, it gives the government the power to grant itself planning permission for a project in the case of an "emergency".
That permission runs out after a year.
West Lindsey and Braintree councils argued the Home Office misused Class Q by over-stretching the term '"emergency' in relation to the need to find accommodation for asylum seekers.
It should only be used in rare cases such as natural disasters, they said.
But in her judgment today, Mrs Justice Thornton dismissed the claims for a judicial review.
She said the then Home Secretary Suella Braverman was correct to use the powers when faced with the threat of asylum seekers becoming homeless.
West Lindsey Council to appeal against judgment, MP says
Gainsborough Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh, whose constituency covers Scampton, says he is "disappointed" at the outcome of the High Court judicial review.
However, in a post on X, formerly Twitter, Sir Edward said he understood that West Lindsey District Council intended to appeal.
"They have my full support and the stop notices remain in place," he said.
Sir Edward had previously said he stood with local residents in opposing the plans.
"We should be considering this on its merits, and there are no merits in the proposal," he told the BBC in November.
"I'm the local Member of Parliament and it's not for me to be a creature of the government when my constituents are being treated in this way," he added.
High Court also finds against Essex council over asylum site plan
West Lindsey District Council was one of two councils to oppose Home Office plans to house asylum seekers at former RAF bases.
Braintree District Council in Essex had made a similar complaint in relation to plans for land that once formed part of RAF Wethersfield (pictured above).
A local resident, Gabriel Clarke-Holland, had also challenged plans for Wethersfield.
But a High Court judge has also dismissed those claims.
Home Office ministers and Levelling Up, Housing and Communities ministers had fought the councils' claims.
This was 'crunch day' for ex-RAF Scampton site - campaigner
Harry Parkhill
BBC Radio Lincolnshire
Ahead of the High Court ruling, a campaigner against Home Office plans to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers at the former home of the Dambusters and the Red Arrows had described it as "crunch day".
Roger Phillips, who lives in Lincoln, told me: "I must admit I was a little bit nervous last night.
"I knew this was coming for the last seven months, but it’s crunch day today."
He told me he supported the planned £300m regeneration of the site, which was agreed in March between West Lindsey District Council and Scampton Holdings Ltd.
Mr Phillips, who said his father spent 47 years in the forces, added that he had spent "most days" at the site "to give support" to others opposing the government's plans to house asylum seekers there.
Government’s use of emergency powers 'appropriate' - ruling
Sharon Edwards
Political reporter, BBC Lincolnshire
West Lindsey District Council, which covers Scampton, had brought the judicial review against the Home Office.
The council claimed the government had misused its powers by granting itself permission to use the site without having to apply for planning permission.
During a two-day hearing in the autumn, lawyers for the authority argued that the true intention had always been to house asylum seekers there for longer than the stated one year.
The Home Office argued that although a longer duration had been discussed, no decision had been made to extend the term until late October.
In her judgment today, Mrs Justice Thornton said the government’s use of emergency powers was appropriate given the Home Office’s contention that asylum seekers could become destitute if more accommodation was not found beyond the use of hotels.
Asylum seeker plan for RAF Scampton site gets go-ahead
Sharon Edwards
Political reporter, BBC Lincolnshire
Up to 2,000 asylum seekers will be allowed to be housed at the former RAF Scampton, a High Court judge has ruled.
After a legal battle lasting several months between the Home Office and West Lindsey District Council, the government has successfully defended its plans to use the site as an asylum centre
It can now be used to accommodate what the government says will be mainly young, single men from countries including Afghanistan, Iraq, Iran, Syria and Libya.
But exactly when they will be moved on to the site in Lincolnshire remains uncertain as anecdotal reports claim that work on preparing the site is not yet completed.
More to follow...
BreakingCouncil loses legal bid over RAF Scampton asylum seeker camp plan
Up to 2,000 asylum seekers will be allowed to be housed at the former RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, a High Court judge has ruled.
The Home Office has successfully defended its plans to use the site as an asylum centre following a legal battle lasting several months.
West Lindsey District Council had opposed the plans for the former home of the Dambusters and the Red Arrows.
'Unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers'
Sharon Edwards
Political reporter, BBC Lincolnshire
In October, Home Office lawyers told the High Court court that using emergency powers to house asylum seekers at sites like the former RAF Scampton was entirely appropriate given “the unprecedented numbers of asylum seekers” and “the absence of suitable accommodation”.
In its written submission to the High Court, the government said: “This is in the context of a possible 120,000-140,000 asylum seekers per year, where continued use of hotels is not sustainable due to cost and availability of hotels becoming more limited.”
During the two-day hearing in London, Home Office lawyers argued that it was "absurd" to suggest that the prospect of community tensions had not been considered.
They also insisted that no decision had been taken to extend the use of Scampton beyond the one year covered by the emergency powers until the end of October.
At the scene: Campaigners vow to fight on whatever today's decision
Harry Parkhill
BBC Radio Lincolnshire
There’s a sense of apprehension here at the camp outside the former RAF Scampton.
Protesters have been here in all types of weather over the past few months.
One of the campaigners has described today’s decision as “crunch time” for this long-running campaign.
But no matter what the judicial review brings, campaigners here tell me they’ll fight on regardless.
Campaigners 'nervously' await High Court judgment
Campaigner Rachel Green says she is nervous about the High Court ruling.
She tells the BBC: "I think logically we should be positive because the Home Office has been breaking the law consistently for weeks now, so if common sense prevails we’ll win.
"But I’m not so sure there’s much common sense going on at the moment."
Decision day over future of ex-RAF Scampton site
Sharon Edwards
Political reporter, BBC Lincolnshire
Today the High Court will deliver its judgment on a row that has been going on in public since March – and in private even longer than that.
RAF Scampton, the historic home of the Dambusters and the Red Arrows, is at the centre of a tug-of-war with national implications touching upon the hot political issue of migration.
In March, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick told the Commons that the site, which closed as an RAF station in 2022, had been earmarked to take asylum seekers, as well as at Wethersfield Airfield in Essex.
Following the Commons announcement, there was a flurry of activity from West Lindsey Council, in Lincolnshire, and Braintree Council, in Essex, to block the plans.
Both have been to the High Court several times in the months that followed – asking for, and failing, to win injunctions against the proposals.
But they did successfully win the right for a judicial review in the High Court, which is a way of challenging the legality of the Home Office decision - and today will see the result of that review being published.
Lawyers for both have argued that the government had misused emergency powers allowing it to bypass the usual requirement to obtain planning permission.
Home Office lawyers have insisted that preventing asylum seekers from becoming homeless is a true emergency in the spirit of the law.
Welcome to our live coverage of the High Court's RAF Scampton ruling
Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of the High Court's ruling on whether the former RAF Scampton site in Lincolnshire can be used to house asylum seekers.
The judgment is expected to be issued at around 14:00 GMT this afternoon.
West Lindsey Council had challenged the Home Office over the plans, saying they would threaten a planned multimillion-pound regeneration of the site.
The authority, which says the Lincolnshire site is "not appropriate", launched legal action after plans were announced in March.
We'll bring you the very latest on the judgement and reaction as it happens.