RAF Scampton: Government 'playing games' over asylum numbers

The government had originally planned to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers at the former RAF site

A council leader has accused the government of "playing games" with the local community over plans to house asylum seekers at a former RAF site.

It comes after the Home Office announced it was reducing the number of people to be housed at the RAF Scampton site from 2,000 to 800.

Trevor Young, leader of West Lindsey District Council, said it was an "election ploy".

The Home Office said it was listening to the views of local communities.

A deal was announced last March to turn the site, near Lincoln, into a business, aerospace and heritage centre.

But weeks later, the Home Office announced plans to use the site, which was the former home of the Dambusters and the Red Arrows, as an asylum centre.

Campaigners staging a circus-themed rally outside the fromer RAF Scampton

This led to ongoing protests from local residents and legal challenges from the Liberal Democrat-run West Lindsey District Council, about the suitability of the site, the impact on the regeneration project and the site's heritage.

• Fight or flight at RAF Scampton

Mr Young said the government had so far refused to meet with elected members of West Lindsey, or engage with the local community over its plans.

"Until they do that there is uncertainty around the site," he said.

"I think they are playing games with the local community, and that's really disappointing.

"They've come up with this announcement of 800, but the reality is can we trust them?

"There is a real feeling that we can't."

Under the plans, asylum seekers will be housed in former RAF buildings and portable cabins

Mr Young said in his view it was an "election ploy" to protect the Tory vote in the area.

He said the reduction in numbers was "a step forward", but added that the government needed to "do the right thing" and "start having discussions".

"That's the way we will get some sort of deal done," he said.

Local Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh said he was "pleased" by the announcement, adding talks over releasing other parts of the site for the regeneration project were ongoing.

However, Sarah Carter from the Save our Scampton group said reducing the numbers "doesn't help" with plans to regenerate the site.

A Home Office spokesperson said they were listening to the views of local communities, but remained committed to housing asylum seekers at the site.

Measures such as providing security and financial support were being introduced to mitigate the impact, they added.