No 'meaningful answers' on asylum centre plan - MP

Campaigners opposed to proposals for an asylum accommodation centre at a former RAF station in North Yorkshire have said they have not heard more from the government despite the prime minister's pledge to listen to local residents.

People in Linton-on-Ouse said repeated requests for ministers to visit the village to discuss their concerns had so far gone unanswered.

Visiting the village with other leading Conservative politicians, local MP Sir Alec Shelbrooke said evidence and letters submitted to the Home Office about the future of the ex-RAF Linton-on-Ouse station had received no "meaningful answers".

The Home Office said no final decision had been made about the site.

Speaking on BBC Politics North in September, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was prepared to look at issues raised by residents and would ensure the Home Office was "fully accountable" to people in North Yorkshire.

Shelbrooke, the Conservative MP for Wetherby and Easingwold, visited the village on Friday along with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities Joy Morrissey and Thirsk and Malton Conservative MP Kevin Hollinrake to see the site and talk to members of the local action group and residents.

Shelbrooke said: "I have written to ministers. I've raised it on the floor of the House. I have not had any meaningful answers."

The MP said he was also awaiting a response from Asylum Minister Anna Turley and urged ministers to visit the village to see the site and surrounding community.

Meanwhile, Philp said residents felt ministers were failing to respond to local residents' concerns.

"The Labour government aren't listening. They're refusing to talk to local people. They're refusing even to talk to the local MP," he said.

During the visit, campaign group representative Martin Sanderson said: "The prime minister told Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC he would listen directly to us.

"He told ITV the same. Unfortunately, we've heard nothing.

"We've repeatedly asked for the asylum minister to just come and visit. We've been more than cordial, we've been more than friendly.

"We know she's local to here. It wouldn't be hard for her to just come down, have a cup of tea and look at this."

Sanderson said many residents were concerned about both the scale of the proposed accommodation centre and the attention the plans had already attracted.

Protests and counter-protests linked to the scheme had taken place on residential streets near homes and a school, he explained.

"The impact is not just the proposal, not just an asylum population coming in, but also the situation from other people that it brings who aren't part of this community," he said.

On Monday, North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les said he had written to Burnham "at the start of October" inviting him to visit Linton-on-Ouse and hear residents' concerns first-hand, but he said he had "heard nothing since".

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country, moving asylum seekers into alternative accommodation, including former military sites which are 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."

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