The leader of North Yorkshire Council has asked the prime minister to meet him to discuss controversial plans for a new asylum centre to be built in a village near York.
Cllr Carl Les wrote to Andy Burnham inviting him to the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse, where the government is proposing to accommodate 1,300 single adult male asylum seekers, “at your earlier convenience”.
A Home Office spokesperson did say whether the prime minister would meet with Cllr Les, but said the government is engaging with local authorities as part of the measures to close asylum hotels.
The prime minister has said he will ensure the Home Office is “fully accountable to people in North Yorkshire on this particular issue and the precise area concerned”.
When asked about the plans for Linton-on-Ouse last month, Mr Burnham told the BBC: “That relates to a previous government and we don't always get to see why that decision was taken.”
Mr Burnham also told the broadcaster he was prepared to look at the concerns of Linton-on-Ouse residents and “what could be done to mitigate those concerns”.
In his letter to the prime minister, Cllr Les said the council understood the government’s “move away from hotels for asylum seekers and your language around fairness and parity”.
But the Conservative council leader said Linton-on-Ouse, a village with around 600 residents, is “not suitable” for the asylum centre proposals.
He also pointed to previous plans to house 1,500 asylum seekers at the base in Linton-on-Ouse in 2022 being abandoned following local opposition and a legal challenge from the then Hambleton District Council.
Recommended reading:
- Residents 'left in limbo' over plans for Linton-on-Ouse
- Families 'will leave' Linton-on-Ouse over asylum plans
- Linton-on-Ouse asylum plans not ruled out by Burnham
Cllr Les said: “The area has limited amenities, services, employment opportunities and support networks. It is remote from major settlements and relies on rural roads that can be vulnerable to flooding and disruption.
“The proposal raises particular concerns because of its scale. Such a concentration of new residents would be unprecedented in a rural community of this size and would inevitably place significant pressure on local infrastructure, services and communities.
“The council is equally concerned about whether the site would provide appropriate accommodation for asylum seekers.
“The isolated nature of the location, limited public transport, lack of employment opportunities and essential services, restricted access to services and absence of established support networks are unlikely to promote wellbeing, integration or positive outcomes for residents and asylum seekers alike.”
Cllr Les said North Yorkshire “stands ready to work collaboratively” with the government to deliver economic growth and develop housing, skills and employment opportunities.
But he said: “Put simply, the Linton-On-Ouse plan would hamper and not support national policy.”
Site 'poses unacceptable risks to both asylum seekers and the local community' - campaign group
Campaigners have also asked the prime minister to reconsider housing asylum seekers at the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse.
Professor Olga Matthias, spokesperson for the Linton on Ouse Action Group, which is opposing the proposals, said the former RAF site “poses unacceptable risks to both asylum seekers and the local community, which is why every single stakeholder has said no to the proposal”.
“It is a real shame that Mr Burnham, who publicly pledged to listen to us on national television, has not, and he is definitely not fulfilling his promise of devolving power as he is not listening to our mayor either – we are starting to think he is full of hot air or as they say up north all mouth and no trousers,” she added.
The Home Office spokesperson said: “The government is closing every asylum hotel, saving taxpayers over £1 billion on asylum support since the election.
“We are working to fairly house asylum seekers across the country, moving asylum seekers into alternative accommodation, including former military sites which are designed to be self-contained to reduce impact on the local community.
“As part of the process, we engage with local authorities and police forces to ensure the safety and security of those in the surrounding area.”
Share