Asylum seeker centre plans approved in village that voted to leave UK

Full planning permission has been approved by Communities Secretary Angela Rayner to transform a Ministry of Defence location near the Oxfordshire village of Piddington into housing for more than 1,200 detained asylum seekers.

The proposals to house 1,256 male migrants at the former military site had met with strong local opposition from villagers, who argued the scheme would present a significant threat to women in the area.

In a symbolic gesture intended to force a government reversal, the parish council had even attempted to declare the village independent from the rest of the UK following a vote by villagers back in September of this year.

However, a statement released by Ms Rayner’s department on Thursday confirmed that the former barracks will be converted for housing detained asylum seekers.

A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson stated: "The Secretary of State has granted full planning permission for the temporary, phased use of the former MoD Bicester storage site.

"As the decision may be subject to legal challenge, it would not be appropriate to comment further."

The Home Office welcomed the outcome of the planning application.

A spokesperson for Home Secretary Shabana’s Mahmood’s department said: "Planning permission allows us to continue to progress the use of MoD Bicester. However, a final decision to proceed is yet to be taken.

"The Government is working on a fairer distribution of asylum accommodation across the country, with over £1 billion saved in costs since the election.

"This includes closing all asylum hotels and moving to alternative accommodation, including former military sites. These are designed to be self-contained, with 24/7 security and CCTV, to minimise the impact on the local community."

A six-week timeframe is now open during which the planning approval can be subject to a legal challenge.

Commenting on the decision, Reform UK shadow home secretary Zia Yusuf said: "Over 1,200 unvetted illegal migrant men are being dumped in Piddington. They will outnumber the women of Piddington by eight to one.

"Tory and Labour governments have betrayed their own people. Reform will detain and deport all of these men."