Furious villagers fear pretty spot will become UK’s ‘Guantánamo Bay’ over plans to house 1,200 migrants as locals FLEE

19 comments 19 Next LOCALS are outraged over plans to house 1,200 migrants in their quiet village – with fears the spot will become Britain’s “Guantánamo Bay”. Residents in scenic Linton-on-Ouse, North Yorkshire, are threatening to “sell up and move” if the controversial plans go ahead. 8 Locals are outraged over plans to house 1,200 immigrants in a former MOD complex Credit: SWNS 8 The plans would see adult men from Syria, Iraq, Iran and Eritrea relocated to Linton-on-Ouse Credit: SWNS Advertisement The proposal would see a former RAF base, which closed in 2020, turned into a migrant centre , grimly dubbed “Guantánamo-on-Ouse” by Lib Dem councillor Darryl Smalley. He told The Guardian it was an “ill-thought-out, cruel and morally bankrupt ploy to reduce our obligations to the most desperate people.” Sign up for The Sun newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. The one-stop reception complex in the heart of the leafy village would predominantly house young men from Syria, Iran , Iraq and Eritrea. Depressing figures collected back in 2022 by the Linton-on-Ouse Action Group found that 60 per cent of the village’s 404 residents were “very likely” to sell if the plans went ahead. Read more News LIFETIME GUILT My brother Damilola was brutally stabbed…I still blame myself for his death MOSQUE ROW Mosque visited by Burnham holds funeral for convicted Taliban terrorist 8 Locals fear the move would swamp infrastructure and overwhelm services Credit: SWNS 8 Alize Sizer says she would move to protect her young daughter’s saftey – even if she loses money in the process Credit: SWNS 8 Many residents say they will sell up if the plans go ahead Credit: SWNS 8 The former RAF site has been deserted since 2020 Credit: SWNS Advertisement Alize Sizer, 44, moved into a three-bed property on Linton Meadows with her five-year-old daughter and husband Ian, 44, in 2023. Now, the mum said she would put the property on the market – and lose £100,000 in the process – for the sake of protecting her “daughter’s safety”. She is not alone, with other residents reportedly considering selling up – despite facing market value losses of up to 20 per cent. Others claim newly built estates continue to stand empty, as prospective buyers are deterred by the asylum centre plans. Most read in The Sun £1 MEAL How to bag all of Zizzi's BEST dishes from pizza to pasta - for just £1 RIDE OFF UK theme park left to rot for a decade as £70m ‘Center Parcs-on-Sea’ plans stall SICK MONSTER Nursery staff to be banned from using phones after sick worker filmed abuse DUST TO RICHES Dirt-covered dish found under sofa identified as Chinese relic worth £30k The Government is still assessing whether the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse site will be suitable – with no final decision reached. Advertisement Any proposal would require the necessary planning permissions and approvals. But the uncertainty has left the villagers in limbo – unnerved by the prospect of such an influx. Many fear the arrival of over 1,200 immigrants could swamp the village’s infrastructure and lead to a surge in security threats. 8 Residents argue the estate should be filled with young families under normal circumstances Credit: SWNS 8 Aerial images show the rows of former MOD houses, due to house migrants in a couple of weeks Credit: SWNS Advertisement Resident Taff Morgan, 67, said the original deal of 500 immigrants was “just about manageable”. He told The Guardian back in 2022: “Then we heard 1,500 and that might not be the maximum. It depends on how many they can fit in.” “The Home Office has done more damage to this village in a week than the Germans did in six years of the war.” One 50-year-old resident who wished to remain anonymous said the rural location was fundamentally unsuitable for the proposal. “You don’t take over 1000 men and put them in the middle of nowhere. Advertisement “You know what you are like on a two-week all-inclusive holiday, you get bored after a while, and you want to explore outside. Linton has nothing really in it, so what are these men going to do?” Residents of Linton-on-Ouse, home to around 700 people, claim these properties should typically be “full” with young families. Aerial shots show around 35 renovated ex-MOD properties scattered across two estates. Two neighbouring estates, owned by the same developer Annington, have been described as a “revolving door” – with people moving in and out since the proposal. The Home Office has said that the site would have permanent security and that the accommodation would be designed to reduce its impact on the surrounding community. Advertisement RECOMMENDED STORIES It added that the proposal remains subject to detailed feasibility work, planning and other approvals. 19 comments 19