Last night, 120 residents along with Local MPs, Police Representatives, Refugee Charity representatives met with the Home Office to get insight into their plans to develop the site. Instead of providing reassurance, they made clear that there are no robust plans in place.
For those who don't know, Linton on Ouse is a small rural village about 15 miles from York and has 800 population.
Findings from the Home Office Meeting
The center will hold minimum 1500 single adult males who have travelled to the UK illegally.
The Home Office have confirmed that todate, no risk assessment to the local community has been undertaken and that one will not be done
North Yorkshire Police have concerns over their ability to police the area and it was not in their 2022 budget
North Yorkshire Police were not consulted and at present have no safeguarding plans in place
The Home Office were unaware of recent troubles at local Asylum Hotels. Police confirmed this did include the need for firearms response teams on a number of occasions.
The Home Office Ministers have not even visited the site
The Home Office have not considered the impact on local transport routes, nor commented how people will get transported to the center
The Home Office were unaware of the regular power cuts in the area and the impact that can have in security measures
The Home Office were unaware of the village sewage problems and the impact an additional 1500 people would place on this
The Home Office accepted that the number could rise to above 1500 people at the center
Local refugee charity's object to the site, stating a rural area is not conducive to a positive experience and such centers should be nearer larger urban areas
The Home Office confirmed the current living facilities need redevelopment and admitted that Greek Style containers could be used. Poor living conditions will place immense pressure on the asylum seekers mental health, noting the findings in the Napier Barricks review confirmed this to be a key factor
The Home Office could not advise what measures will be put in place to reassure the community
The center will be open door and it's residents free to roam. The Home Office and North Yorkshire Police understands how intimidating this can be for females and the elderly given the large volume (minimum 1500) and small village population (800).
The Home Office advised the site is not safe for women and children but would not comment as to why.
The Home Office confirmed a number of sites were considered but didn't meet the criteria. When asked to clarify which sites and what the criteria is the Home Office would not comment.
There is a primary school and play park within close proximity to the center entrance (less than 500-1000meters)
There is a possibility planning law has not been followed in that a Change of Use application has not been submitted.
Local MPs are strongly against the proposal (letter attached)
The center is not fenced off and as such poses a risk that right wing parties can access the site. Note Right Wing protests and arrests have been a theme across all centers of such kind to date. It's Important to note that past sites were fenced off and closed door, this center is not.
Despite all this, the site is to be in use within the next few weeks.
The local MP has asked the Home Office to PAUSE all progress until proper due diligence and consultation can take place. The Local MP and Refugee Charity's have called on the decision to be reversed as the site is simply not viable and not safe for both the aslyum seekers and local community.
Please sign and share this petition if you have concerns over the decision to use the site for such a purpose.
Additionally, please right to your local MP highlighting this case and asking them to support the petition and to lobby to stop this site from going ahead.