Ellie Ames 18 April 2024

Asylum seekers moved from RAF Wethersfield due to incomplete safety checks

Asylum seekers moved from RAF Wethersfield due to incomplete safety checks image
Image: SevenMaps / Shutterstock.com.

The Home Office has moved 70 people away from an asylum accommodation site after it failed to complete necessary safety checks on time.

Asylum seekers were first moved onto the RAF Wethersfield site, a former airfield in Essex, in July.

The Home Office originally had permission to use the site as asylum accommodation until April 2024, but a special development order (SDO) made last month extended its use by three years, subject to certain conditions.

These include ensuring there is an adequate supply of drinking water and obtaining a contamination report.

Although the SDO came into force on 11 April, some conditions have not been met, meaning the Home Office does not have permission to house more than 580 asylums seekers.

It has moved 70 people away and into hotels, while others remain on the site.

A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘Wethersfield is safe for asylum seekers, and we are working at pace to ensure we abide by the conditions in the SDO.’

Braintree District Council, whose area includes RAF Wethersfield, has legally challenged the Home Office’s use of the site on several occasions.

Leader Graham Butland said the council has now requested ‘urgent copies’ of relevant SDO documents so it can safeguard the community and those living and working on the site.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Social Worker

Durham County Council
£35,412 - £39,152 (pre-progression) / £40,777 - £45,091 (post-progression)
We are looking for social workers who have completed the assessed and supported year in employment to join our Families First teams, working with our Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Public Health Practitioner

Durham County Council
Grade 12 - £44,075 - £48,226
WHAT IS INVOLVED? We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about public health, has experience of delivering or commissioning public health s Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Home Care and Support Worker 18.5hrs

Durham County Council
£12,791 - £13,412 p.a. (hourly rate of £13.26 rising to £13.90) -part-time Grade 4
If you have elderly friends and relatives, you will understand the value they place on independence. This role will give you the opportunity to work Seaham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Team Manager

Durham County Council
£50,269 to £54,495 p.a. (Grade 14)
This is an exiting opportunity to join a newly established team within Durham supporting young people in care preparing them for independence. The N Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Learning and Development Support Officer

Durham County Council
£26,403 to £28,598 pro rata p.a. (Grade 5)
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and experienced Learning and Development Support Officer to join a small team within our award winn Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner