Following the recent announcement that the Home Office will use Ministry of Defence sites to accommodate asylum seekers, including RAF Barnham in Suffolk, the Conservative Group at Suffolk County Council is calling for full transparency and meaningful consultation with local residents before a decision of this scale is implemented.
The Conservative Group does not believe RAF Barnham is the right location for this type of facility and is urging both Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk Council to make that position clear to the Government. The proposed site could have a significant impact on the surrounding rural area and its villages, and residents deserve clear information about the implications for local infrastructure, traffic and public services before the plans move forward.
Cllr Richard Rout, Leader of the Conservative Group at Suffolk County Council, said:
"For months, residents have had to deal with rumour and conjecture about the potential use of the MOD land at Barnham to accommodate asylum seekers. Now, without consultation or engagement with the community, or local councillors, we're told it's happening.
"The facility could house over 1,000 single male migrants - far greater than the population of Barnham itself. We can't agree that this is the right location and we're calling on the administrations at West Suffolk Council and Suffolk County Council to oppose the proposals, and the Home Office to think again, unless local concerns can be allayed."
Cllr Harry Richardson, Conservative Spokesperson for Public Health and Environment and County Councillor for Blackbourn, said:
"I am deeply frustrated by the lack of consultation from the Home Office on the use of this facility. There was no prior engagement with residents on this issue and there are numerous - and serious - implications that have not been addressed. This location, in a rural setting near to a primary school and with few transport links, cannot be right to accommodate this number of people."
The Conservative Group believes that residents deserve openness, honesty and a genuine opportunity to have their voices heard. It will continue to press the Government for greater transparency while urging both Suffolk County Council and West Suffolk Council to stand up for local communities and ensure that residents’ concerns are properly heard and considered throughout this process.
