Hello, the message below is sent to town and parish clerks on behalf of Cllr Cliff Waterman, Leader of West Suffolk Council.
Good afternoon
This message is to update all of the town and parish councils in West Suffolk and Thetford Town Council, with regard to the Home Office’s proposed use of RAF Barnham to accommodate asylum seekers.
West Suffolk Council has written to the Home Office to set out why it believes the RAF Barham site is both unsuitable and unlawful for use as asylum seeker accommodation.
We have raised with them that the Barnham Camp is within the Breckland Special Protection area (SPA) and Special Area of Conservation (SAC). Given these legally binding ecological constraints, it is our belief that the Home Office proposals cannot lawfully go ahead.
We are awaiting a response back from the Government.
But we have now been informed that the Home Office has submitted an Urgent Crown Development application to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government for the use of RAF Barnham for asylum seeker accommodation.
This does not mean that a decision has been made, there will now be a consultation process where everyone will be able to submit their views. It does mean that West Suffolk Council will not be asked to decide any planning application but will instead be a consultee. We may also be required to assist with the local public consultation process although we do not have any details as to when and exactly how this will take place.
From West Suffolk Council’s point of view, this doesn’t change our position and our representation to any consultation will reiterate that we think the site is neither suitable nor lawful for use as asylum seeker accommodation. Whether we are formally asked to assist in the local consultation or not, we will be making sure that the very genuine concerns and views of local residents in Suffolk and over the border into Norfolk are heard loud and clear.
We will write to you again when we know more about the consultation process.
In the meantime, we are continuing to update our dedicated webpage at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/community/barnham-raf-camp.cfm as and when there is more information that we can share.
With best wishes
Cllr Cliff Waterman
Leader of West Suffolk Council