The Government is yet to make a final decision on plans to open a controversial centre for asylum seekers at the former RAF base at Linton-on-Ouse, council chiefs say.
Hambleton District Council said it was waiting for an update from ministers on their plans for the centre.
The authority has threatened legal action if the Government presses ahead with the proposal for the facility for 1,500 asylum seekers.
The scheme has angered local residents who have accused the Home Office of treating them as “collateral damage”.
Councillor Mark Robson, leader of Hambleton District Council, said the authority’s cabinet was told yesterday that the council was still awaiting responses from the Home Office to both its Planning Contravention Notice and the Pre-Action Protocol letter which it had issued.
He added: “We expect to have received both responses by early next week.
“At present we continue to understand that no final decision has been taken by Ministers to accommodate asylum seekers at RAF Linton and that we will receive seven days’ notice from the Home Office should they intend to begin moving people onto the site.
“A definitive decision on the council’s next steps is not possible at this point, as we are still awaiting substantive responses to the Planning Contravention Notice and Pre-Action Protocol letter.
“Once these responses are received, they will be carefully considered and assessed alongside the legal advice the council receives before Cabinet agree the next steps.
“In the meantime, local councillors continue to support and be in dialogue with the local community, on both a one-to-one basis and in their attendance at community meetings.”
Be the first to comment