Protesters rally against ‘inhumane’ immigration centre after plans to double its size
Protesters gathered outside Campsfield Immigration Centre in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, to oppose Home Office plans to more than double its capacity from 160 to 400 detainees. The facility, which closed in 2018 after concerns over detainee welfare and reopened in December, is already contested locally, with both Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council having opposed its return before the latest expansion plans emerged.
Around 20 demonstrators attended the weekend protest, with organiser Liz Peretz criticising the detention of asylum seekers and others as "inhuman" and calling for alternatives to incarceration. Roughly 250 objections have been lodged by residents, workers, councils, MPs and campaign groups, and the plans are being processed under the Crown Development route, which bypasses normal local planning scrutiny. However, the Government's planning inspectorate has confirmed a public inquiry will be held given the "considerable local interest" and complexity of the issues raised, with cross-examination of witnesses expected; the Home Office has been approached for comment.
- Home Office plans to expand Campsfield centre from 160 to 400 detainees
- Around 250 objections filed; roughly 20 people protested at the weekend
- Planning inspectorate has agreed to hold a public inquiry into the plans
New here? Start with this
Protesters gathered outside Campsfield Immigration Centre in Kidlington, Oxfordshire, over Home Office plans to expand the site's capacity from 160 to 400 detainees. The centre closed in 2018 amid concerns about detainee welfare and reopened in December, and has faced opposition locally, including from Oxfordshire County Council and Oxford City Council.
The expansion is being handled through the Crown Development route, a process normally used for government projects that sidesteps the usual local council planning scrutiny. Around 250 objections have been submitted by residents, staff, councils, MPs and campaign groups, reflecting the level of local concern.
Because of the scale of interest and the complexity of the issues raised, the government's planning inspectorate has said a public inquiry will take place, involving cross-examination of witnesses. The case touches on wider questions about how the UK detains and processes asylum seekers and other migrants, and how much say local communities have over Home Office facilities in their area.