Planning permission has been granted by the government to convert a former military site near the Oxfordshire village of Piddington into an asylum accommodation centre.
Submitted via an Urgent Crown Development application, the Home Office proposal seeks to house up to 1,256 men at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Bicester site. While the fast-tracked planning approval permits the government to advance its use of the location, a Home Office spokesperson emphasized that a final decision regarding the proposal has not yet been finalized.
The project has faced significant local pushback and legal scrutiny. A government report noted that the planning consultation drew 3,177 representations opposing the development, compared to just one in support. In symbolic protest, the nearby village of Piddington voted to leave the UK, and campaigners have launched legal challenges against the initiative.
The Home Office stated that utilizing former military sites forms part of a broader effort to achieve a fairer distribution of asylum accommodation, reduce expenses, and phase out the use of asylum hotels. According to the government, the planned site will feature self-contained facilities equipped with 24/7 security and CCTV designed to reduce disruption for the surrounding community.
