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.
Parish councillor Joe Marshall told the Press Association the decision has prompted anger and frustration in the village, and accused the Government of “walking all over rural communities”.
He said: “I think it’s fair to say that what we’re doing is a movement.
“It’s not a movement about the asylum crisis, it’s more of a movement associated with governments walking all over small rural communities.
“Particularly a government like this where they say, ‘Oh, these southern, affluent areas need to take their fair share’ – it’s not a fair share, and it’s not just us.
“These small communities are just being being taken over, effectively by the Government, put these camps in, and then make everyone’s houses unsellable, make everyone feel unsafe, in our case, potentially expose us to harmful emissions, that’s not really right.
“It’s not very democratic, and it’s not very constitutional in the way that they’ve gone about this process.”
Mr Marshall said residents will continue their attempt to challenge the Government’s proposals to use a site which he said is not a “viable” option for housing asylum seekers.
“We’re all 100% on the same page that we have to challenge this and we will challenge this,” he said.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said: “Angela Rayner and the Labour Government have betrayed the people of Piddington and Bicester by abusing their powers.
“Using emergency crown planning powers to force a camp for 1,500 young male illegal migrants on to a tiny rural village is sickening.
“I have met many women from the village who are scared for their safety but Angela Rayner doesn’t care.
“Instead of accommodating illegal immigrants, the Government should leave the ECHR so illegal immigrants can be rapidly deported.”
Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller, who represents Bicester and Woodstock, said he was “deeply disappointed” after concerns were raised by residents and local councils.
He said: “The Government’s own assessment accepts that problems with transport, community cohesion and pressure on local services will remain.
“The NHS has warned that nearby GP practices have no spare capacity, while crucial details of site access and sewage disposal have been left for later approval.
“The Government acknowledges there is asbestos and unexploded ordnance on the site but, amazingly, thinks it can manage this safely, despite the cost.”
Mr Miller said the decision has “simply ignored” major environmental objections that form the basis of a High Court challenge.
He added: “Ministers have blundered ahead, ignoring the huge problems with this site – which has never previously had accommodation.
“I will continue to oppose this decision and demand full scrutiny of the costs and consequences for our communities.
“It is the wrong plan and the wrong site for local communities, asylum seekers and taxpayers.”
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."
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