Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
Government approves planning for asylum housing at former Bicester base
The government has granted planning permission for asylum accommodation at the former MoD Bicester site near Piddington, Oxfordshire.
The Home Office application covers housing for up to 1,256 men in new modular buildings, with health and welfare facilities.
The government said high demand for asylum accommodation was a reason for approving the plan.
The decision was made despite 3,177 objections and one letter of support, and local residents and politicians have criticised it.
Planning permission does not mean the plan is final: the Home Office says it has not decided whether to proceed.
The approval can be challenged in the High Court within six weeks, but only on the grounds that the decision is legally flawed.
The government has granted planning permission for asylum accommodation at the former MoD Bicester site near Piddington, Oxfordshire.
The plans allow for accommodation for up to 1,256 men, along with new modular buildings and health and welfare facilities.
The Home Office says a final decision on whether to proceed has not been taken.
The decision drew 3,177 objections and one letter of support, according to a government report.
Campaigners and local representatives oppose the plans, and the approval could face a legal challenge within six weeks.
- Who
- The government granted planning permission for the Home Office’s proposal. The plans concern asylum seekers.
- What
- Permission was granted for accommodation for up to 1,256 men at the site. The Home Office says it has not made a final decision to proceed.
- When
- 12 November 2026.
- Where
- The former MoD Bicester site near Piddington, Oxfordshire.
- Why
- The government said national demand for asylum accommodation remains high. It also said it is moving away from asylum hotels to alternative accommodation, including former military sites.
Local opponents
Government
Planning decision
Local opponents
Residents, campaigners and local representatives oppose the proposal and say their concerns have been overruled.
Government
The government granted planning permission for the proposal, citing high national demand for asylum accommodation.
Use of the site
Local opponents
Opponents say the site is unsuitable and the plans will harm local communities.
Government
The Home Office says the proposed accommodation would be self-contained, with 24/7 security and CCTV, to minimise its impact on the community.
The Home Office announced it was exploring three former military sites for asylum accommodation, including MoD Bicester.
The government concluded an environmental assessment was unnecessary for the proposed development.
Piddington residents voted in a symbolic referendum on leaving the UK in protest against the plans.
Campaigners took their complaints about the plans to the High Court.
The government granted planning permission for the proposed accommodation.
- Site
- Former MoD Bicester site near Piddington, Oxfordshire
- Proposed capacity
- Up to 1,256 men
- Planning response
- 3,177 representations against; one in support
- Legal challenge window
- Six weeks from the day after the decision
- Symbolic referendum
- 285 voted for independence from the UK; 26 voted against
3 sources
What people are saying
No wonder we voted to leave the UK.
the wrong plan and the wrong site for local communities, asylum seekers and taxpayers
Planning permission allows us to continue to progress the use of MoD Bicester. However, a final decision to proceed is yet to be taken.
Angela Rayner and the Labour government have betrayed the people of Piddington by abusing their emergency powers in this way.