Legal challenge over military base asylum plans

The early stages of a legal challenge opposing plans to build an asylum centre on Ministry of Defence (MoD) land has been launched.

The Home Office is proposing to provide accommodation for up to 1,256 men at a site near Bicester, Oxfordshire.

Lawyers representing Bicester Countryside and Communities community interest company have now taken the first formal step towards a possible judicial review.

The government said it was working to "fairly house asylum seekers" with the closure of asylum hotels "saving taxpayers over £1bn" since the election.

On Tuesday villagers in Piddington, near Bicester, voted to leave the UK in a symbolic protest against the plans.

A pre-action protocol letter has now been sent to the Home Office, on the grounds that no environmental impact assessment has taken place.

The legal action has been financially backed by the local community, following an appeal by local MP Calum Miller.

The Liberal Democrat said "basic questions remain unanswered" and urged ministers to withdraw the application.

It comes on the same day as planning officials formally objecting to the application to build the temporary accommodation and supporting facilities MoD Bicester's Site A.

Members of Cherwell District Council's planning committee said there was a lack of detail in the plans and raised 15 concerns where more information was needed.

These included transport and highway impacts, pressures on local services and infrastructure, impacts on nearby communities and questions around the site's safety.

Council leader Lesley McLean said the government had treated the committee "with contempt" over the lack of clarity contained in the application.

The local authority has no decision making powers, as the application is being considered through an Urgent Crown Development process, which means the final decision will be made by government.

According to council planning officers, this is only the second time this sort of application has been made, leaving them less clear as to the possible next steps in the process.

The local authority will submit its response to the government later, before the deadline for comments closes at midnight.

A spokesperson for the Home Office said former military sites would be "designed to be self-contained to reduce impact on the local community."

"As part of the process, we engage with local authorities and police forces to ensure the safety and security of those in the surrounding area," they added.