Rayner approves full planning permission for MoD site conversion
Ministers face a legal challenge over plans to convert a Ministry of Defence site near the Oxfordshire village of Piddington into accommodation for more than 1,200 detained asylum seekers.
Full planning permission for the scheme was approved by Angela Rayner, the housing and communities secretary, a decision that emerged on Thursday and was welcomed by the Home Office, which wants to end the use of asylum hotels.
Tim McNally, the local parish council chair, told BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme that villagers would respond with “many actions”. “There’s going to be many actions, you will see. We will disclose that as we move forward,” McNally said.
Asked whether ministers should be braced for a legal challenge, McNally replied: “Absolutely, absolutely.” He said a challenge would need to be lodged within the next six weeks.
Villagers have already mounted opposition to the plans. They made a symbolic attempt to declare the village independent from the rest of the country after a referendum of its 350 residents.
Campaigners could also apply the new Hillsborough law, which is being considered by parliament. Once passed, the law would create a legally enforceable duty of candour that compels public officials and authorities to act transparently when investigations and inquiries take place.