Second UK village to hold referendum over asylum seeker camp plans

A second village will hold a symbolic referendum to leave the UK in protest of plans to house asylum seekers in a military site nearby. The former RAF base in the village of Barnham, West Sussex, was one of three former military sites earmarked for potential asylum seeker accommodation in June, as part of Labour’s plans to abolish migrant hotels. It follows protests from villagers in Piddington, Oxfordshire, where 90% of residents voted to leave the UK in September after plans were announced to house more than 1,200 male asylum seekers at the nearby MoD Bicester.

The chair of Barnham parish council, John Bauer, confirmed that residents voted in favour of a referendum at Barnham’s village hall on Saturday. Just seven of the 80 attendees voted against the plans. A group will meet on Monday to set out the timeline, the BBC reports.

It follows protests in August, when the village, which has a population of around 600, held demonstrations outside MoD Barnham, located between Barnham and Thetford in Norfolk.

On Friday, the Government said the number of migrants that could be housed at the base had been reduced from 1,250 to about 930.

Mr Bauer, who is in favour of the referendum, told the BBC: “Residents voted decisively in favour of holding a referendum as a means to demonstrate the strength of feeling in the village at the Government’s failure to consult anyone about a matter which will change the nature of the village. This democratic action stands in dramatic contrast to the high-handed approach the Government is taking.”

The Home Office said the former military sites “are designed to be self-contained, with 24/7 security and CCTV, to reduce the impact on local communities”.

The spokesperson added: “We recognise the strength of feeling in local communities and are listening carefully to the concerns being raised.”

It is understood that the Home Office has submitted an application for planning permission to use the Bicester and Barnham sites as asylum accommodation, but no final decisions have been made yet.

According to the Government’s plans, asylum seekers would be accommodated at these sites for initial processing. The Government has switched tactics to house asylum seekers at former military sites to cut down on costly hotels.