Buckinghamshire Council Leader responds to Government decision on MOD Bicester

Following the Government's planning decision regarding MOD Bicester, the Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Councillor Steven Broadbent, said:

"We are deeply disappointed with the national planning decision to grant the necessary permissions that could allow asylum accommodation at MOD Bicester. This site is close to the Buckinghamshire border, and we have formally opposed these plans. Buckinghamshire Council has previously written to Government on two occasions to set out our concerns and submitted a full response to the urgent crown planning application despite the limited timescales and lack of notification to do so.

The planning process exists to allow for proper consideration of all aspects of such a proposal, yet it has been bypassed. We remain concerned that key questions about local impacts, service demand, infrastructure requirements and operational arrangements have not been adequately addressed. It is vital that full operational detail is shared, coupled with proper engagement, transparency and full consideration of local impacts as plans for the site continue to develop.

The Government decision is based on their stated need to accommodate people seeking asylum, but local residents and councils must be properly consulted and their concerns fully considered.  There has been no meaningful engagement with the council or local community that properly addresses the practical implications of these proposals."