Piddington to bring legal challenge over asylum base plans

The government will face a legal challenge over plans to convert a former military site near Piddington into accommodation for more than 1,200 detained asylum seekers, the parish council chairman has said.

Planning permission for the development at the MoD Bicester site in Oxfordshire was approved by the Housing Secretary Angela Rayner after the Home Office used a fast-track route for projects deemed to be urgently needed and of national importance.

Opponents have six weeks to challenge the decision. Parish council chairman Tim McNally said ministers should "absolutely" be ready for a legal challenge.

Defence minister Luke Pollard said the government would continue to engage with the community.

McNally told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the village could also apply the new Hillsborough Law.

Once passed, the law would create a legally enforceable duty of candour which compels public officials and authorities to act transparently when investigations and inquiries take place.

McNally told the programme: "Last night, [Prime Minister] Andy Burnham was on a podium talking about the violence, sexual violence towards women, and bringing it upon the media industry as their responsibility to manage.

"But the reality is, is that this is exactly what the government is doing to us here."

Asked how the village would respond, he said: "There's going to be many actions, you will see. We will disclose that as we move forward.

"Today is a day of reflection, and we'll work out where we plan to go from this point. But I will say, the Hillsborough Law is there for a reason, and we're going to apply it."

Asked if ministers should be braced for a legal challenge, he said: "Absolutely, absolutely."

Piddington symbolically voted to leave the UK in September over the planned use for the site, and last month the group Wrong Plan Wrong Site appealed for a judicial review into the proposals.

A government report said the decision received 3,177 representations against and one in support.

It also said Rayner had ruled permission via an Urgent Crown Development application should be granted because "national demand for asylum accommodation remains high".

The permission allows for demolition of existing buildings, the building of new modular accommodation, and provisions for health and welfare facilities.