PLANNERS are set to rule tomorrow on a plan to build an immigration centre for 800 people on the outskirts of Bicester.

Members of Cherwell District Council will decide whether to give planning permission to the removal centre on former Ministry of Defence land between Piddington and Arncott. Officers say the application should be approved.

Villagers have raised concerns over increased traffic, and light and noise pollution from the site.

Bob Leat said: “We have asked for a lot more traffic calming measures in the village so we don’t become a rat-run.

“At the end of the day it is a secure centre and we don’t have the concerns we had with the open door asylum centre.”

Piddington parish councillor Pam Feltbower said the centre was too big and would produce too much traffic, noise and light.

Local action group the Coalition Against Bullingdon Immigration Removal Centre also opposes the application on planning and human rights grounds.

The Home Office says Bullingdon Removal Centre would create more than 500 jobs. It could be open by 2012. It would house up to 800 men – failed asylum seekers or illegal immigrants awaiting deportation.

The application was due to be heard last month, but it was postponed pending more information.