William Eichler 12 May 2023

Braintree DC plans to appeal court’s airfield decision

Braintree DC plans to appeal court’s airfield decision image
Image: pxl.store / Shutterstock.com.

Braintree District Council is to continue with legal action to try and stop an airfield being used to house hundreds of asylum seekers.

It plans to appeal against a refusal by the High Court to issue an injunction to prevent the move going ahead.

The council went to the courts over the proposed use of Wethersfield Airfield to accommodate up to 1,700 male asylum seekers for up to 180 days each.

The Ministry of Defence-owned land was one of the sites identified when immigration minister Robert Jenrick unveiled plans last month to house asylum seekers in disused military bases to reduce the amount of money being spent on hotel accommodation.

Graham Butland, leader of Braintree District Council, said there were two other judicial review proceedings going ahead, issued from West Lindsey District Council for their site at RAF Scampton and a resident from Wethersfield.

He said there were still many unanswered questions about the proposals and ongoing concerns within the community.

The council was pressing the Home Office for more details and for it to ‘engage with the community.’

Cllr Butland said: ‘We still need to prepare to support any asylum seekers if legal proceedings are not successful.

‘We are continuing to work with local partners to plan for this as well as mitigating any pressures on local services and the impact on the local community.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Head of Building Control

London Borough of Merton
MGC - £69,807 - £74,790 per annum
Help shape Merton’s future Merton, London (Greater)
Recuriter: London Borough of Merton

Service Director – Children's Social Care

West Berkshire Council
From £106,618 to £113,740 (Grade O)
Shape what comes next for children and families Newbury - Council Offices, Market Street
Recuriter: West Berkshire Council

Restorative Justice Practitioner

Essex County Council
£26284.00 - £33256.00 per annum + + 26 Days Leave & Local Gov Pension
Restorative Justice PractitionerPermanent, Full Time£26,284 to £33,256 Per AnnumLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Digital and Data Support Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 5 £27,274 - £29,542
Join our team as a Digital & Data Project Support Officer and help shape the future of Culture, Sport, and Tourism!   WHAT IS INVOLVED?    In this vi Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Operational Support Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 4 (£26,427 - £27,709)
Are you an organised and customer-focused individual looking for an opportunity to support a busy frontline service?   We have an exciting opportunity Peterlee
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner