RAF Scampton: Council looking at 'all legal options' over asylum plans

RAF Scampton was home to No 617 Squadron, famous for the Dambuster raids during World War Two

"All legal options" are being reviewed by councillors after the government confirmed plans to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers at RAF Scampton.

The announcement that the former RAF station in Lincolnshire would be used came despite strong local opposition.

West Lindsey District Council (WLDC) fears the plan could jeopardise a £300m regeneration deal for the site.

The government said it "understands the concerns" and is working to reduce the impact.

Sally Grindrod-Smith, director of planning at the council, said they were "extremely disappointed" by the announcement.

"We are in constant dialogue with the Home Office to seek to demonstrate to them that RAF Scampton would not be an appropriate site for asylum accommodation," she said.

"We are considering all legal options, including urgent judicial review proceedings."

Up to 2,000 people could be housed at RAF Scampton

Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said Scampton would initially be used to house about 200 people in "basic and functional accommodation", but that would increase "gradually" up to 2,000.

He said using expensive hotels for asylum seekers was "wholly unacceptable".

"Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites will provide cheaper and more orderly, suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats," he said.

"We understand the concerns of local communities and are working closely to listen to their views and reduce the impact of these sites, including through providing onsite security and financial support."

RAF Scampton was the headquarters of the famous World War Two Dambusters 617 squadron and housed the Red Arrows display team for more than 20 years.

The site was closed in 2022 and a deal struck in March with the council would have seen the 800-acre location, near Lincoln, used for aviation, heritage, tourism, education and research.

Any move to use the site for asylum seekers would, Ms Grindrod-Smith said, "likely curtail the nationally significant plans which the council has been working on since 2018".

She added the council was working with partners across Lincolnshire to highlight what it considers the "significant number of barriers" to using the site for asylum seekers.

No communication

A number of new developments in the area reflect the history of RAF Scampton

People living in the area, many in former military housing, have said they have had no communication from the government about plans for the site.

Lyn Webb said officials were "not bothered" and added that people had been living in a "safe, secure environment" for over 20 years and that would be "taken away."

Another resident, Rachel Green said she was concerned about security.

"We've got a lot of young families here with lots of children about," she said.

"The fence is not secure, and even if the fence was secure, it is said they'll be able to roam free."

Samantha Taylor-Eggleson said she was "extremely worried" and pointed out the limited services in the area.

"Nearly 2,000 men will be here and not all of them are going to be saints. We have an extremely small shop and a diabolical bus service.

"There is nothing for them here at all, and we will feel the brunt of it because we are a six-foot fence away."

The plans have also been criticised by Sir Edward Leigh, Conservative MP for Gainsborough.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he asked Robert Jenrick: "How can he guarantee that we will not lose £300m of regeneration, already agreed and signed, between WLDC and Scampton Holdings?"

He also asked how listed buildings on the site and the heritage of the Dambusters would be preserved and how would he protect the safety of the people living in the area.

He urged the minister to work with the council to find an alternative site and warned him: "Lincolnshire will fight and Lincolnshire will be proved right."

The Home Office said it recognised the role Scampton played in the Second World War and that it would preserve heritage features by "not accommodating migrants in buildings from this period".

A spokesperson said the government "only intends to use Scampton on a temporary basis".

They added the government was committed to working with WLDC to develop their long-term vision for the site.