Asylum Reception Centre Update – 21 June 2023

We understand that residents and businesses remain anxious to know more regarding the Home Office’s plans to accommodate 1,700 single adult male asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airfield.

We are still awaiting a decision on our appeal which was heard at the Court of Appeal on Monday 12 June. This was our appeal against the High Court’s decision about the interpretation of Class Q and the refusal to grant the Council an injunction to stop the Home Office’s proposals to provide accommodation for asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airfield. We will update residents once we know more.

Yesterday the Home Office informed us that they have amended their Wethersfield Factsheet. You can see the latest version of the Factsheet here:

Factsheet: MoD Wethersfield asylum accommodation (accessible) – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

We understand surveying work is still ongoing on the site, and physical works to mobilise the site will begin shortly. The Home Office can continue preparing the site whilst legal proceedings are ongoing.

We know there are still many unanswered questions and please know that we, alongside our partners, are doing all we can to get definitive answers and clarity around the proposals from the Home Office, whilst continuing to raise concerns shared by the community. We have been insisting that they engage proactively with residents, stakeholders, businesses, parish councils and community groups