11 April 2024
The former Scampton RAF base, home to the Red Arrows and Dambuster squadrons, will become an accommodation centre to house asylum seekers.
The Home Office has laid a Special Development Order (SDO) before Parliament giving temporary planning permission which effectively ends the argument. It is due to become law today, 11 April 2024.
The local council, West Lindsey District Council, was planning to create a £300m heritage centre on the airfield but has now withdrawn its enforcement notice.
An opening date for the Scampton asylum centre has not been announced. The Home Office says work is continuing to ensure the site is safe, legal and compliant. However, the Home Office is planning to close another 50 asylum hotels at the end of May, adding to the 100 closed in March, meaning space is needed.
Cllr Trevor Young, Leader of West Lindsey District Council, said, “The Home Office has laid the SDO in Parliament, the Council has been clear from the outset that the use of an SDO excludes the voice of our communities from being heard.
“We know this is incredibly important for our communities and we are committed to continuing to do all we can to represent their views and to protect the £300m investment plan, which we still believe is the right way forward.”
Scampton site plan. Image: Home Office
A factsheet issued by the Home Office on how the site will operate includes details on preserving Scampton’s heritage as an RAF base throughout WWII and after.
“The Home Office recognises the importance of the rich heritage at Scampton and is committed to preserving and enhancing the heritage assets at the site,” says the factsheet.
“The Home Office will create a Heritage Asset Management Plan. This will set out clear actions and responsibilities to protect the heritage assets at Scampton.”
The Home Office factsheet can be viewed here.
