The Home Office has submitted an urgent Crown Development application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to convert RAF Barnham into accommodation for asylum seekers, a local MP has revealed.
The bid forms part of plans that would see RAF Barnham considered alongside two other former military sites, including schemes reported elsewhere to accommodate up to 3,750 people in total. The move, disclosed in an email flagged by Nick Timothy, the MP for West Suffolk, is designed to accelerate decision-making by placing the final determination in the hands of the Secretary of State rather than the local planning authority.
What the Home Office says
According to the email sighted by Mr Timothy, the application has been made “due to the national importance in ‘responding to sustained pressure on the asylum accommodation estate’ and reducing reliance ‘on hotels and other contingency accommodation’.” The message also stresses that the process allows planning issues to be considered but does not pre-judge the outcome.
“The application enables the relevant planning issues to be considered, but it does not predetermine the outcome, and it remains the case that no final decision has been taken on the site’s future use.”
Mr Timothy said the step indicated the state was backing the proposal and reiterated his opposition to using the site for undocumented migrants. He told constituents he would continue to oppose any imposition of such accommodation on the local community.
Local reaction and legal context
The revelation has reignited local protests which have taken place outside RAF Barnham in recent weeks. Campaigners and some local leaders have argued that planning law and ecological protections could yet prevent redevelopment being approved.
Legally-binding ecological constraints apply to the land in and around RAF Barnham because of the presence of stone curlews. Any development affecting the protected habitat requires a specific assessment under planning rules — a factor that has previously obstructed housing schemes in the area.
- Decision route: Urgent Crown Development application — Secretary of State to decide
- Rationale given: Reduce reliance on hotels and contingency accommodation
- Local concern: Ecological protections for stone curlews and sustained protests
Sites and reported capacity
Reports earlier this month linked RAF Barnham with two other former military bases under consideration for asylum accommodation. Published figures for the wider programme indicate a potential capacity across the sites of up to 3,750 people, though the Home Office email stresses no final decisions have been made.
| Site | Reported status |
|---|---|
| RAF Barnham (West Suffolk) | Urgent Crown Development application lodged |
| Other reported former bases | Included in wider proposals (capacity reported across sites) |
For residents and parish councils the fast-track application route is controversial because it sidesteps the usual local planning committee stage. Supporters of the Government’s approach say the urgency reflects national pressures on asylum accommodation and a desire to reduce costly use of hotels and temporary contingency sites.
At present, planning law still applies: environmental assessments and habitat protections are material considerations that the Secretary of State must take into account before arriving at a final decision. Local campaigners and elected representatives are preparing to press those points as the application progresses.
The situation remains fluid. If ministers accept the Crown Development route, further information and formal consultations may follow before a final determination is made.
