Local Opposition Grows Against RAF Barnham Asylum Seeker Housing Plan

Local councillors unanimously oppose government plans to house up to 1,250 asylum seekers at RAF Barnham, citing inadequate infrastructure and community concerns.

Community Concerns Over RAF Barnham Asylum Accommodation Proposal

RAF Barnham, also known as Barnham Camp, has historically served as accommodation for military personnel. Recently, a proposal to house asylum seekers at this site has sparked significant local opposition.

At a recent meeting, it was revealed that parents might consider withdrawing their children from the nearby village primary school if asylum seekers are accommodated on the adjacent military site.

Last month, the government identified RAF Barnham, located on the Suffolk/Norfolk border, as one of three potential sites to house approximately 3,750 migrants, pending planning permission approval.

During the West Suffolk Council meeting, concerns were raised that the existing infrastructure is inadequate to support such a development. Councillors unanimously supported a motion declaring the site unsuitable for this purpose.

A Home Office representative stated that no final decision regarding the Barnham site, near Thetford, has been made and emphasized that the department is "listening to local concerns to reduce the impact on communities."

The council's motion committed to urgently engaging with the Home Office to communicate why RAF Barnham is inappropriate for asylum seeker accommodation.

Councillors from all political parties unanimously endorsed the motion, emphasizing the site's unsuitability for asylum seekers.

A meeting room at West Suffolk Council's HQ. There are rows of tables with people sitting at them, facing away from the camera. They are all raising their arms in a vote. At the far end of the room, there are at least five people at a desk, facing into towards the camera. — Image caption, Councillors from all parties unanimously backed the motion saying the site was not suitable for asylum seekers

The meeting was informed that up to 1,250 asylum seekers could be relocated to the Ministry of Defence site.

The government has pledged to cease placing asylum seekers in hotels, which are costly and have become focal points for anti-migrant protests.

Local Voices Express Concerns

John Bauer, chairman of Barnham Parish Council, conveyed that parents had expressed intentions to remove their children from Barnham School due to its proximity to the proposed site, potentially jeopardizing the school's long-term viability.

Ad (970x250)

Ad (425x293)

He highlighted that the village, with a population under 600, lacks basic amenities such as a shop or pub and has very limited public transport and access to services.

"If this were a conventional housing development for 1,250 people, it would require extensive consultation, transport assessment, environmental review and infrastructure planning," Bauer stated.

Green district councillor Dylan Roques concurred, stating at the meeting:

"There simply isn't the infrastructure for it, for both asylum seekers and for residents. Asylum seekers deserve places where their needs and wants are recognised, and RAF Barnham simply isn't that place – their dignity sadly will not be valued."

Liberal Democrat councillor Jon London criticized the government's planning process, describing it as:

"The most egregious example of overdevelopment I have ever seen, and one with the least level of democratic oversight."

Cross-Party Council Unity

Labour member and West Suffolk Council leader Cliff Waterman expressed pride in the cross-party collaboration and hoped the council’s unanimous vote would strengthen his position in discussions with the government.

"One thing [the government] cannot do is just dismiss me as someone standing on a soapbox shouting down a megaphone," Waterman said. "I'm hopeful that they will listen carefully to what we say."

A head and shoulders shot of a man with short white hair, wearing black-framed glasses and a dark jacket over a white shirt. He is inside. — Image caption, Cliff Waterman said he was proud of the way councillors from all parties had worked together

Conservative councillor Andrew Smith, representing Bardwell ward which includes Barnham, stated that the village is "simply the wrong place" for the proposed plans.

"I'm optimistic we can stop the plans... we have got a long way to go, but today we have squared the edge and we have drawn a line in the sand," Smith said.

A head and shoulders shot of a man with white hair and black-framed glasses, wearing a dark suit over a white shirt with a blue tie. He is standing in a room. — Image caption, The proposal is unsuitable both for residents and for asylum seekers, said Conservative councillor Andrew Smith

Government and Police Responses

A Home Office source reiterated that the department is "working closely with local authorities" and that no final decisions will be made until all necessary arrangements, assessments, and approvals are completed and properly considered.

"Asylum seekers are expected to stay in contact with the Home Office and comply with the asylum process – failure to do so could lead to their claim being withdrawn and support being discontinued."

Suffolk Police confirmed that discussions about the site's future are ongoing and denied rumors that asylum seekers are currently housed there.

"This currently remains a live training site for Norfolk & Suffolk Constabularies and some vehicles that may have been seen on site, such as buses, are used for training purposes," a spokesperson said. "Any persons seen on the site are most likely to be police, MoD employees, or security personnel."

Community Engagement

Residents and local officials continue to express concerns regarding the suitability of RAF Barnham for asylum seeker accommodation, emphasizing the need for thorough consultation and infrastructure planning before any decisions are finalized.

Do you have a story suggestion for Suffolk? Contact us below.