Ministers are set to 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. The decision to grant full planning permission was made by Angela Rayner, the housing and communities secretary, and emerged on Thursday.
The Home Office welcomed the approval, stating its aim to end the use of asylum hotels. However, Tim McNally, the parish council chair, told BBC Radio 4 that villagers would take "many actions" and that ministers should "absolutely" expect a legal challenge, which would need to be lodged within six weeks.
Senior Tory and Reform politicians, Zia Yusuf and Chris Philp, clashed over immigration policy in Piddington following the government's approval. A Home Office spokesperson stated that a final decision to proceed had not yet been taken, adding that the government is working on a fairer distribution of asylum accommodation and aims to close all asylum hotels.
Villagers previously made a symbolic attempt to declare independence from the UK after a referendum of its 350 residents. Mr McNally also mentioned that campaigners could apply the new Hillsborough law, which is currently being considered by parliament.