Government approves planning permission for asylum seeker centre at MoD Bicester

Planning permission to house asylum seekers at a Ministry of Defence site near the village of Piddington in Oxfordshire has been approved by the government. Ministers had faced a ngry opposition from villagers, who said plans to house 1,256 male migrants at the former military site would pose a significant threat to women in the area. The village even symbolically voted to leave the UK over the planned site, hoping it would force the government to back down.

But on Thursday, the office of Communities Secretary Angela Rayner confirmed the former barracks would be turned into accommodation for detained asylum seekers. Reacting to the government's decision, Calum Miller, the L iberal Democrat MP for Bicester and Woodstock, said: "I am deeply disappointed that the Government has approved this proposal despite the serious concerns raised by residents and local councils as well as the major problems with the site.

"The Government's own assessment accepts that problems with transport, community cohesion and pressure on local services will remain. "The NHS has warned that nearby GP practices have no spare capacity, while crucial details of site access and sewage disposal have been left for later approval." Protests were held following the announcement. Credit: PA He added: "The Government acknowledges there is asbestos and unexploded ordnance on the site but, amazingly, thinks it can manage this safely, despite the cost.

The major environmental objections that are the basis of a High Court challenge to the application are simply ignored with the Government relying on the original, flawed assessment. "Ministers have blundered ahead, ignoring the huge problems with this site - which has never previously had accommodation. I will continue to oppose this decision and demand full scrutiny of the costs and consequences for our communities. "It is the wrong plan and the wrong site for local communities, asylum seekers and taxpayers."

In September, villagers in Piddington were invited to vote on whether to secede from the UK and become an independent state following the government's announcement of the plans to house asylum seekers nearby. The result of the vote , held by Piddington Parish Council, was 285 voting to leave and 26 voting to stay. One ballot paper was spoilt. Parish chairman Tim McNally declared the village will now be known as "the Principality of Piddington".

The Home Office has welcomed the decision to approve the asylum housing. Subscribe free to our weekly newsletter for exclusive and original coverage from ITV News. Direct to your inbox every Friday morning. A spokesperson for Home Secretary Shabana’s Mahmood’s department said: "Planning permission allows us to continue to progress the use of MoD Bicester. However, a final decision to proceed is yet to be taken. "The Government is working on a fairer distribution of asylum accommodation across the country, with over £1 billion saved in costs since the election.

"This includes closing all asylum hotels and moving to alternative accommodation, including former military sites. These are designed to be self-contained, with 24/7 security and CCTV, to minimise the impact on the local community." Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “Angela Rayner and the Labour Government have betrayed the people of Piddington and Bicester by abusing their powers. “Using emergency crown planning powers to force a camp for 1,500 young male illegal migrants on to a tiny rural village is sickening.

“I have met many women from the village who are scared for their safety but Angela Rayner doesn’t care. “Instead of accommodating illegal immigrants, the Government should leave the ECHR so illegal immigrants can be rapidly deported.” Reform UK's Shadow Home Secretary Zia Yusuf said: "Over 1,200 unvetted illegal migrant men are being dumped in Piddington. They will outnumber the women of Piddington by eight to one. Tory and Labour governments have betrayed their own people.

Reform will detain and deport all of these men.” There is now a six-week window when the decision can be faced with a legal challenge. Want a quick and expert briefing on the biggest news stories? Listen to our latest podcasts to find out What You Need To Know...