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The site ploughs on despite resident backlash and a petition to withdraw the plans reaching almost 20,000 signatures
Controversial plans for asylum accommodation at an Ministry of Defence site in Piddington have finally been made public after a 56-day wait, although 11 sections of the application have been redacted.
Full planning permission is being sought for the temporary change of use of MoD Bicester Site A, in connection with the "phased provision of non-detained asylum accommodation".
Eleven sections have been redacted from the release, including mitigating measures on suicide and self-harm prevention, health and safety and handling death at the site.
The proposed Piddington migrant camp plans to house 1,250 asylum seekers at the base, despite resident backlash and a petition to withdraw the plans reaching almost 20,000 signatures.
New details show the proposed development at the site includes the change of use of Building A6 to house asylum seekers, as well as the demolition of existing buildings and structures to erect a new modular accommodation.
The site would also include provision of space for "associated health and welfare facilities", alongside site infrastructure, wastewater treatment plant, roads, access ways, security infrastructure, parking, staff accommodation and facilities - and open space and recreational areas to accommodate "up to 1,256 service users".
The proposal published today also confirms the site would be occupied for "10-year temporary use", and remain open 24 hours.
The Oxfordshire village has a population of just 314, so if the plans go ahead, there would be almost four asylum seekers to one Piddington resident.
Prime Minister Burnham last month told GB News that he had "begun to become aware of the campaign in Piddington", where children wrote to the Prime Minister expressing their concerns over the migrant camp plans.
He said: "I will listen to what people are saying and respond to the concerns that they are putting forward.
"It's obviously going to be challenging, but I am prepared always to listen to people, to work with people and to pick up legitimate concerns, and I will address those concerns."
But the Home Office has insisted using such sites will save the British public hundreds of millions of pounds, after the asylum hotel bill cost the taxpayer £2.1billion last year.
Labour's plan to close all asylum hotels by 2029 remains a goal of this Government, with disused MoD sites being used as the leading alternative.
In a written letter to the Crown Casework Team, a spokesman for the Secretary of State for the Home Department detailed the statutory powers to "provide support to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute."
They pointed to the provision of accommodation and/or subsistence under section 95 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999, temporary support under section 98 while an application under section 95 is under consideration, and support under section 4 for certain refused asylum seekers who meet the relevant statutory criteria.
The letter continues: "The Home Office considers this to be the appropriate route for the application, having regard to both the national importance of the proposal and the urgency with which a planning decision is required.
"Payment of the agreed application fee of £76,482 has been arranged by the Home Office.
"The applicant considers that the enclosed material is sufficient to enable the proposed development to be determined in planning terms. The applicant acknowledges that any permission granted may be subject to conditions requiring the subsequent submission of further details for approval."
A Home Office spokesman said discussions over the Oxfordshire site remain "in an early stage", and are still subject to planning permission, feasibility assessments and due diligence, including engagement with local communities.
The spokesman added "no decisions" have yet been made, with more details obscured in redacted sections of the application expected to be disclosed at a later date.
