Communities Secretary Angela Rayner has granted full planning permission for an asylum centre at a Ministry of Defence (MoD) site near the village of Piddington in Oxfordshire. This decision approves plans for the refurbishment and redevelopment of the former barracks.
However, the Home Office has stated that final approval for the site, which is planned to house 1,256 asylum seekers, is still to be determined. A Home Office spokesperson said on Thursday that planning permission allows them to "continue to progress the use of MoD Bicester," but a "final decision to proceed is yet to be taken."
In September, residents of Piddington held a symbolic referendum, with 285 people voting in favour of independence from the UK and 26 against, to demonstrate opposition to the plans. Campaigners against the government's proposals also sought a judicial review into the Home Office plans last month.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government stated that the secretary of state has granted full planning permission for the "temporary, phased use of the former MoD Bicester storage site." There is now a six-week period during which the decision can face a legal challenge.