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17
Jul
MP urges government to rule out RAF Linton asylum centre plan over 'community cohesion' concern
A local MP has urged the Home Office to rule out RAF Linton-On-Ouse as a site for an asylum centre amid concerns over “community cohesion”.
Sir Alec Shelbrooke, Conservative MP for Wetherby and Easingwold, told the House of Commons that the site was “inappropriate” as it was near a primary school and was in a village of 600 adults.
As previously reported, the site, which is nine miles from Boroughbridge and 14 miles from Knaresborough, could house 1,200 single males.
The government has announced its intention to use the former RAF base for an undisclosed period.
In question to Shabana Mahmood, Labour home secretary, this week, Sir Alec asked:
RAF Linton-on-Ouse, where up to 1,500 asylum seekers may be put, will have open gates, in a village of 600 adults. Close to the site is a primary school. In the light of the comments about community cohesion, will she now rule out RAF Linton-on-Ouse as an inappropriate site, because of the proximity to the primary school?
Ms Mahmood said no decision had been made on the centre and such concerns would be factored into the government’s decision making.
She added:
No decision has been taken, and all these factors, including other community assets, such as schools and community facilities, are taken into account as part of the decision making.
It comes as the government has earmarked three ex-military bases alongside Linton for an asylum centre. The others are Barnham in Suffolk and Bicester in Oxfordshire.
On Wednesday, North Yorkshire councillors voted to write to government to highlight their concerns over the plans.
Councillors voted unanimously to back a motion for Conservative council leader, Councillor Carl Les, to contact Minister for the Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris outlining their objections to the site.
Cllr Les said there was a “sense of urgency” because the government had already begun its due diligence process.
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