Scampton heritage plan in tatters after asylum news

Plans to keep flying active at Scampton when the RAF leaves the airfield at the end of March are in tatters after reports that a centre for asylum seekers is to be based there by the UK Home Office.

The plan by West Lindsey District Council to regenerate the Scampton site with £300 million of investment to “preserve, protect and enhance the site by providing aviation heritage, business, aerospace, space and aviation technology and education opportunities” hangs in the balance following the Home Office’s announcement.

But there has been a fierce backlash with ‘hundreds’ of local residents attending a public meeting yesterday (Monday). See local report.

SCAMPTON UPDATE:
I’ve just come from the community meeting. I was the only candidate for Parliament there. The plans presented were both inhumane and unworkable. 1,500 single men in shipping containers on the runway and an end to £300mn of hi-tech investment 1/4

— Hamish Falconer For Lincoln (@Hamish4Lincs) March 20, 2023

A petition to ‘Stop RAF Scampton Being Turned Into A Detention Camp’ is here.

A group of 40 historians has also written to the govt opposing the Home Office plan. Lead by aviation historian James Holland, signatories to the letter include Sir Antony Beevor, Dan Snow, Sir Max Hastings and Professor David Edgerton.

Mr Holland pointed out there were “so many places around the country where asylum seekers could be housed with the kind of sensitivity and care that they absolutely need. But it just doesn’t have to be on one of the richest places in terms of history and heritage in the country for aviation.”

An Open Letter to @SuellaBraverman – signed by 40 historians and interested persons. SAVE SCAMPTON! Pls RT, people! @ukhomeoffice @RobertJenrick @HE_ChiefExec pic.twitter.com/yDdsdSoBKH

— James Holland (@James1940) March 18, 2023

West Lindsey District Council said it is “shocked and concerned” by the Home Office announcement. The council pointed out that while the Home Office said “no decision has been made at this time, it regards the issue an urgent priority”.

However, the Council believes the decision has already been taken – one reason being that Home Office contractor Serco has been advertising for housing officers to work in Scampton.

Advert for workers at the Scampton asylum centre

Cllr Owen Bierley, Leader of West Lindsey District Council has called for Home Office to look elsewhere.

He said, “The idea that RAF Scampton is even being considered gives me significant cause for concern particularly in relation to our local community, who have already been in contact, especially given the fact it is anticipated that 1,500 single males could be moved to the location.

“Given that the site has poor public transport connectivity and is remote in nature to services, we consider that this site is not suitable for the accommodation of asylum seekers, quite apart from the terminal effect such use would have on the important development scheme underway there.

“We know that the issue of rehousing asylum seekers is a priority for the Home Office but if they were successful in realising their ambitions of deploying RAF Scampton in this way, it would be counter-productive to the Government’s longer-term investment and Levelling Up agenda.

“For all of these reasons and given the particular circumstances which apply to RAF Scampton, we are urging the Government to remove RAF Scampton from its list of proposed asylum accommodation locations.”

Scampton heritage centre plan