The leader of North Yorkshire Council has accused the Government of undermining its own stance on housing migrants near schools by putting forward the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse base as a potential asylum centre.
In correspondence to Border Security and Asylum Minister Alex Norris MP, Councillor Carl Les has called on ministers to scrap plans to utilise the location to house up to 1,200 single male asylum seekers. Cllr Les argued the proposal “clearly contradicts” remarks made by the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood that asylum accommodation should not be situated near sensitive locations such as schools and nurseries.
He said: “Both Linton-on-Ouse Primary School and Pre-School Nursery are very close to the former Ministry of Defence site you plan to use to house significant numbers of adult male asylum seekers.”
Cllr Les expressed being “dismayed” that the Government was revisiting the site, despite the Home Office determining in 2022 that it was inappropriate for housing asylum seekers following thorough due diligence. While emphasising that North Yorkshire Council backs the principle of providing asylum seekers with safe and dignified accommodation, he contended that Linton-on-Ouse represented the “wrong proposal at the wrong location”.
He highlighted that the village’s inadequate infrastructure, absence of healthcare facilities, limited transport connections and lack of even a village shop rendered it unsuitable for accommodating up to 1,200 individuals. The correspondence also asserts that previously highlighted concerns from utility providers regarding electricity capacity and the local sewage treatment works’ ability to handle increased demand remain unresolved.
Cllr Les additionally cautioned that the proposal would impose substantial, unfunded strain on public services, including policing and healthcare, while leaving asylum seekers cut off from the support networks they require.
In closing his letter, he stated: “I would ask that you listen to the community of Linton-on-Ouse and the local parish council, the local MP, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, local elected member Cllr Malcolm Taylor and the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith and myself who are united in asking that this proposal is reconsidered and rejected.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service has contacted the Home Office for a response.
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