Military base asylum plans granted planning approval
The UK government has granted planning permission to house up to 1,256 asylum seekers at a former military site near Piddington, Oxfordshire. The decision was fast-tracked using emergency powers, sparking significant opposition from local residents and political figures.
Why it matters
The use of emergency powers for asylum accommodation highlights ongoing tensions between national government policy and local community autonomy in the UK.
Image caption, The government plans are for accommodating up to 1,256 men at the site near Bicester
Planning permission to house asylum seekers at a former military site near the Oxfordshire village of Piddington has been granted by the government.
The Home Office's application to house up to 1,256 men at the MoD Bicester site was fast-tracked using an Urgent Crown Development application.
The nearby village of Piddington symbolically voted to leave the UK in opposition to the planned site, which has also been legally challenged by campaigners.
A Home Office spokesperson said the planning permission "allows us to continue to progress the use of MoD Bicester" but no final decision on the proposal had been taken.
A government report said the decision received 3,177 representations against, and one in support.
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