Suffolk and Norfolk Councils Oppose RAF Barnham Asylum Seeker Housing Proposal
A government proposal to convert the former RAF Barnham site, situated on the Suffolk-Norfolk border, into accommodation for asylum seekers has met with strong, cross-party resistance from local councils and Members of Parliament.
The plans, which would see the installation of temporary accommodation on the disused military base, are being challenged by West Suffolk Council, Thetford Town Council, Norfolk County Council, and Suffolk County Council. Local MPs Jo Churchill and George Freeman have also voiced their objections.
Concerns raised by local representatives focus primarily on the isolated nature of the site, which lacks immediate access to vital services such as healthcare, education, and social support. Critics argue that placing vulnerable individuals in such a remote location, without adequate infrastructure, is neither humane nor practical. The significant cost implications for local services, already under strain, have also been highlighted.
West Suffolk Council has formally initiated legal proceedings to challenge the government's intentions, citing potential breaches of planning regulations and inadequate consultation with local stakeholders. The council's chief executive stated that the local authority remains committed to exploring all available avenues to prevent the implementation of the plan, emphasising the site's unsuitability for large-scale accommodation.
