The Prime Minister said he is “prepared to look” at the concerns of villagers opposing plans to house up to 1,200 asylum seekers at the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
In an interview with BBC Yorkshire Political Editor Gemma Dillon, Andy Burnham said he “understood” concerns that the village population could potentially almost double under the proposal.
In an episode of BBC Politics North, which aired on Sunday (September 27), he said: “It’s right that I, in my position, listen carefully.
“At the same time, I have heard the call around use of hotels and the need to move people to lower-cost accommodation, and of course, this plan is part of that.”
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The Prime Minister made reference to the number of small boat crossings into the UK, which latest figures indicate are at 18,565 – 42 per cent lower than the same period (January to September) last year, and the government’s efforts to reduce these.
He said that he had heard concerns from MP Alec Shelbrooke and Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith, adding: “I am prepared to look at the concerns of the community and what can be done to mitigate those worries.”
'It's difficult, I'm not going to say it's not difficult. I understand'
Asked whether he believed the government would reach a different conclusion on the suitability of the former flight training school as an asylum seeker site after similar plans were withdrawn in 2022, he said: “That’s for the Home Office primarily to answer, and I’ll make sure they do.
“I’m not aware of the 2022 consideration because that relates to a previous government.
“We don’t always get to see why that [decision] was taken.
“I will make sure that the Home Office are fully accountable to people in North Yorkshire on this particular issue.
“It’s difficult, I’m not going to say that it’s not difficult. I understand.
“But it’s also the case that all parts of the country need to do what they can to deal with the overall challenge.”
The interview comes after the region’s Mayor and Deputy Mayor wrote to the Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood.
The letter asked whether the government would guarantee that additional policing costs, which Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire Police Catherine Clarke said would arise from potential “regular and significant” protest activity, would be funded centrally.
Speaking about this, a Home Office spokesperson said: “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 reduce the impact on local communities.”
It comes after residents of Linton-on-Ouse say they have been left living "in limbo" over the plans.
Phil Banks, who has lived in the village for 40 years, said: “It’s the unknown – that’s the worst.
“We live in a village through choice. This has just come along and turned everything upside down. Our lives have been left in limbo."
The Home Office said the site is subject to “detailed” feasibility assessments, which could take several months to complete.
A spokesperson added that the assessments are “routine exploratory work” to understand the site’s potential.
They added: “Any proposals would be subject to the necessary planning permissions and approvals.”
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