Asylum site consultation a 'win for democracy'

An MP has hailed a "win for local democracy" after the government agreed to consult the public on plans to build accommodation for asylum seekers on a former military base.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said residents could submit their views on plans to house up to 1,256 men at the former Ministry of Defence site near Bicester, Oxfordshire, until 17 September.

It had previously made an Urgent Crown Development application, a special procedure to fast track the process due to its "national importance".

But Lib Dem MP Calum Miller said the plans had been "veiled in secrecy" and had called on the prime minister to withdraw the application.

The MP for Bicester and Woodstock previously said the process did not guarantee public participation "beyond a narrow list of statutory bodies" so was pleased residents would now be asked for their opinions.

"This is a clear win for local democracy and for every resident who refused to be shut out of a decision with profound consequences for our communities," Miller said.

"Ministers must give every evidence-based representation proper weight and confront the serious shortcomings around transport, road safety, infrastructure, drainage, ecology and the fundamental suitability of this isolated site."

He added that the application showed establishing the camp would be "hugely expensive for taxpayers and that the lack of utilities and facilities will make it totally inappropriate for those housed there and for local communities".

In July, two separate groups gathered in Bicester town centre to protest against the plans.

On 25 June, the Home Office wrote that as it "ramps up" closures of asylum hotels across the UK, it was instead "scaling up the use of large, basic accommodation for illegal migrants".

"As part of this, discussions are under way to use three new sites to house asylum seekers, with planning permission being sought at MoD Bicester, MoD Barnham and MoD Linton-on-Ouse," it said.

The sites could house about 3,750 asylum seekers if planning permission is granted.

In 2005, the then-Labour government abandoned plans for an asylum seekers accommodation centre on the same Bicester site.