Home Office Pledges No Asylum Seekers at Linton-on-Ouse Until Site Is Safe
Minister Reassures Locals Over RAF Base Plans
North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Zo Metcalfe has welcomed a strong response from the Home Office over plans to use the old RAF Linton-on-Ouse site as an asylum seeker centre. Kevin Foster MP, the Home Office Minister for Secure and Legal Migration, confirmed that no asylum seekers will be housed there until the site is declared safe and meets all legal and planning requirements.
“Only once all safety and legal checks are complete will a formal decision be made on the site’s use,” Foster stated, putting local fears firmly in the spotlight.
Concerns Over Policing and Safety Costs
Ms Metcalfe stressed the government must cover the extra policing and fire service costs arising from the new use of the site. “I welcome the Minister’s commitment to work with us and local communities to keep residents safe and ensure extra costs do not fall on local services,” she said.
Campaigners Claim Victory, Call For Plan To Be Scrapped
The proposal to house up to 1,500 asylum seekers at the long-unused RAF base has sparked fury in the peaceful village. Olga Matthias from the Linton-on-Ouse Action Group hailed the minister’s letter as “the first nail in the coffin” for the plans.
“There are so many flaws with it and we are glad sense is finally prevailing. Hopefully they will decide it’s unsafe due to the site and location. It’s the wrong plan and the wrong area,” she added.
Government Maintains Asylum Centre Is Needed
Despite opposition, the Home Office insists the centre is essential. They promise on-site facilities and transport links to nearby towns like York. After six months, asylum seekers still at the centre will be moved elsewhere.
The battle over Linton-on-Ouse is far from over, but ministers appear ready to prioritise safety and local concerns – at least for now.
