The Bicester Advertiser reports that Cherwell District Council has formally objected to the Government’s proposal to accommodate up to 1,256 asylum seekers at MOD Bicester Site A.
Following a special meeting of its planning committee, the council finalised its consultation response after carrying out what it described as a detailed review of the application.
The council raised concerns across a number of areas, including transport and highways, pressure on local infrastructure and services, drainage and flood risk, environmental and ecological impacts, site safety, security and emergency access.
It also concluded that the application did not contain sufficient detail to fully assess some of the potential impacts or the mitigation measures that might be required.
Councillor Chris Aramini-Brant, Cherwell District Council’s cabinet member for enforcement, told the Bicester Advertiser that while the council recognises the Government’s responsibility to provide appropriate accommodation for people seeking asylum, proposals of this scale need to be supported by sufficient evidence, detailed information and robust mitigation.
The council also repeated its concerns about the 10-day consultation period, arguing that residents, stakeholders and statutory consultees had been given insufficient time to consider such a large and complex application.
Cherwell District Council does not determine the application. Under the Urgent Crown Development process, it is acting as a consultee and has submitted its objections to the Government, which will make the final decision.
The report follows formal opposition to the proposal from Bicester Town Council and Oxfordshire County Council.
