New Bicester asylum centre ‘planned since November’, says MP

The plans for a new asylum centre near Bicester has caused outrage with local residents and activist groups, with Oxford Stand Up to Racism calling the plans "inhumane" and Reform Bicester and Woodstock also protesting the decision.

MOD Bicester (Image: Ed Nix)

Calum Miller, MP for Bicester and Woodstock, said in a statement: "This morning, I was notified that the Government is using the 'nationally important and urgent' planning route for its proposal to house asylum seekers at MOD Bicester.

"I am deeply concerned by this decision. I have written confirmation that the MOD was informed of these plans in November last year.

"If ministers have known for eight months, what exactly makes this urgent now?

"I will be seeking to raise this in the House later today."

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Matthew Pennycook, Minister of state for Housing and Planning (Image: Archive NQ)

In a letter to him from Matthew Pennycook, Minister of state for Housing and Planning, it was declared that planning permission for the site was nationally important and urgent, and an application has been made to the planning inspectorate.

The Home Office unveiled plans last month to house asylum seekers on Ministry of Defence land in Bicester as part of a wider national strategy to phase out hotel use.

Planning permission is being sought for three sites across England, including locations in Barnham in Suffolk and Linton-on-Ouse in North Yorkshire, which together could accommodate up to 3,750 people.

Around 300 people turned up to protest against the asylum seeker camp near Bicester on Sunday (July, 12)