8 September 2023
No work to prepare RAF Scampton for asylum seekers can go ahead after the local council issued a Temporary Stop Notice at 7am this morning (Friday, 8 September 2023).
West Lindsey District Council has served the notice to prevent the Home Office from continuing with development work at RAF Scampton.
The council’s Sally Grindrod-Smith, director of planning, said,”The council is concerned about the future of the significant and important heritage on site at RAF Scampton and the Home Office has not provided the necessary information or reassurances.
“Unfortunately, we have been left with no alternative but to issue a Temporary Stop Notice. This means that development work should halt on site with immediate effect until we are furnished with details of the proposed works and can determine whether additional planning consents are required.”
The company formed to take forward the council’s own plans for the RAF base, which used to be home to the Red Arrows display team, Scampton Holdings, has also issued a statement.
Chairman Peter Hewitt said, “We trust that the Home Office will promptly engage with the Local Planning Authority to formulate an alternative location to house asylum seekers and safeguard RAF Scampton’s invaluable assets and potential for generations to come.”
The council considers that there has been a breach of planning control relating specifically to the Listed Buildings and archaeology on the site. The alleged breaches include the installation of permanent palisade fencing, intrusive surveying works, groundworks, and connections to utilities, having the potential to cause irreversible damage to important heritage assets.
