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 Democratic Services, Elections & Monitoring Officer

Harborough District Council
Grade 12 £67,236 – £71,223 plus £3000pa Statutory Officer Allowance
We are looking for an accomplished and proactive leader for our vacant post of Head of Democratic Services & Elections Market Harborough, Leicestershire
Recuriter: Harborough District Council

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

Social Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 9 £35,412 - £39,152 (Pre-Progression) / Grade 11 £40,777 - £45,091 (Post-Progression)
Are you a nurturing social worker passionate about supporting parents so that children can remain with their birth family?     This could be the right Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Administrative Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Administrative Officer to join our busy, friendly team, supporting Children and Young People’s Services. 1 x Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Lunchtime Play Worker

Durham County Council
£24,796 pro rata
Lunchtime Play Worker Grade 1 £24,796 pro rata Part Time - 6.25 hour per week, Monday – Friday
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner