Letter to Anna Turley, MP, Minister for Border Security and Asylum - 24 July
Dear Minister,
Proposed Accommodation of Asylum Seekers at the Former RAF Linton-on-Ouse Site
I am writing on behalf of North Yorkshire Council and others in the region following the unanimous resolution passed by my council on 15 July 2026 regarding the government's renewed proposal to accommodate asylum seekers at the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse site.
The motion received unanimous support from members across all political groups, reflecting a clear and strongly held view that the proposal should not proceed.
We fully recognise the government's stated obligations towards those seeking asylum. Our concerns are not directed at asylum seekers themselves, nor do they diminish the need for a fair, humane and effective asylum system.
Rather, our position is that the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse site is the wrong location for a large-scale asylum accommodation centre and is unsuitable both for the people who would be housed there and for the local community.
When a similar proposal was brought forward in 2022, local authorities strongly opposed both the choice of site and the absence of meaningful consultation. Those concerns remain today and, in many respects, have become more significant following the subsequent decommissioning of much of the site's infrastructure. Our concerns are focused on the following:
The unsuitability of the location
The former RAF site is situated immediately adjacent to a small rural village of around 600 residents. The area has limited amenities, services, employment opportunities and support networks. It is remote from major settlements and relies on rural roads that can be vulnerable to flooding and disruption.
In the council's view, neither the village nor the surrounding area possesses the infrastructure normally required to support a development of this scale and nature.
The proposal raises particular concerns because of its scale. Based on current information, it could be around 1,250 single adult males who will be accommodated on the site at any one time more than twice the population of the host village. Over the proposed lifespan of the facility, many thousands of individuals could pass through the site.
Such a concentration of residents would be unprecedented in a rural community of this size and would inevitably place significant pressure on local infrastructure, services and communities.
Concerns for the wellbeing of asylum seekers
The council is equally concerned about whether the site would provide appropriate accommodation for asylum seekers.
The isolated nature of the location, limited public transport, lack of employment opportunities and essential services, restricted access to services and absence of established support networks are unlikely to promote wellbeing, integration or positive outcomes for residents and asylum seekers alike.
We do not believe that accommodating large numbers of asylum seekers in such a remote environment represents best practice or serves their short or long-term interests.
Infrastructure constraints
There are also serious questions regarding the capacity of local infrastructure to support the proposal, including:
- highway capacity and transport accessibility
- water supply resilience
- sewerage and drainage capacity
- electricity supply and network resilience
- the absence of a mains gas connection
We understand that significant elements of the former RAF site's infrastructure have been removed following decommissioning. Considerable investment would therefore be required before the site could become operational and it is questionable that this would represent value for money.
Even with substantial expenditure, there remain questions about whether wider off-site infrastructure constraints, particularly drainage, sewerage and utility capacity, can be satisfactorily resolved.
Impact on the local community
Unlike many other asylum accommodation sites, the proposed centre would sit immediately adjacent to an established residential community.
Particular concerns have been raised regarding the proximity of:
- social and affordable housing
- Linton-on-Ouse Primary School, approximately 600 metres from the site
- children's play areas and other community facilities
The council notes that a significant number of families and vulnerable residents live in close proximity to the proposed facility. Members are concerned that insufficient weight has been given to the unique relationship between the former RAF site and the village itself, and to the potential impact on community cohesion.
Security and site management
The former RAF station extends to approximately 680 acres and contains extensive former military infrastructure.
Questions remain about the practicality of securing a site of this size and complexity and about the safeguarding arrangements that would be required to protect both local residents and the wider community, and the inhabitants of the site itself.
Value for money
We are also concerned about the financial implications of the proposal.
The previous Linton-on-Ouse scheme incurred significant public expenditure before being abandoned. Given the further subsequent decommissioning of the site, increased substantial investment would now be required simply to make the premises operational.
We believe there is a strong case for considering whether public funds could be used more effectively through alternative accommodation arrangements that are better suited to both asylum seekers and host communities.
Impact on future growth and regeneration
The proposal also risks undermining recent progress made within the village and surrounding area.
Linton-on-Ouse has seen significant housing growth and regeneration in recent years, with further investment and development planned. There is concern that the proposed facility could damage confidence, hinder future regeneration and conflict with wider ambitions for housing, employment and economic growth.
Lack of consultation
The council is particularly disappointed that the proposal was announced without prior engagement with either North Yorkshire Council or local communities.
Decisions of this significance should be informed by meaningful consultation and should reflect local knowledge, local circumstances and long-term aspirations for the area. We believe that earlier engagement would have highlighted many of the practical concerns outlined in this letter, many of which were stated and accepted by government four years ago. Even now, we are unclear of the process that is being followed, including the process for obtaining planning permission.
Summary
We support the United Kingdom's humanitarian responsibilities and recognise the need for suitable accommodation for asylum seekers. However, we do not believe that the former RAF Linton-on-Ouse site is an appropriate location for a large-scale asylum accommodation centre of the type proposed.
Its isolated rural location, the limitations of local infrastructure, its proximity to an established residential community, the school, the scale of the proposal relative to the size of the village, concerns for the wellbeing of asylum seekers themselves, and the potential impact on future regeneration all lead us to conclude that this proposal should not proceed.
I therefore urge the government to reconsider the use of the site and to work with local and regional partners to identify more appropriate alternatives that better serve both asylum seekers and host communities.
This position is shared by North Yorkshire and York Members of Parliament as listed below who have agreed to support this letter and the concerns expressed. I know that the elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor (Policing) have had meetings with your officials and have already written to you expressing their concerns on behalf of the communities we all represent.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss these concerns with you directly and would be grateful for a response setting out the government's position.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Carl Les OBE - Leader North Yorkshire Council
The Rt Hon Sir Julian Smith - MP for Skipton and Ripon
Hon. Kevin Hollinrake - MP for Thirsk and Malton
The Rt Hon Rishi Sunak - MP for Richmond and Northallerton
Hon. Tom Gordon - MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough
Hon. Sir Alec Shelbrooke KBE - MP for Wetherby and Easingwold
Hon. Rachael Maskell - MP for York Central
Letter to Alex Norris, MP, Minister for Border Security and Asylum - 3 July
Dear Minister
I am writing, as Leader of North Yorkshire Council, to express my dismay that the government has determined that RAF Linton-on-Ouse is, once again, being considered as a large site for housing single male asylum seekers.
It is important to be clear from the outset that we do not object to the government’s desire to house asylum seekers with dignity in safe and secure accommodation. However, we do not believe that Linton-on-Ouse is an appropriate location to house potentially 1,200 single adult males. This was in fact the finding in 2022 when the Home Office determined, after extensive due diligence, that the site was not a suitable location for such use.
The same issues that were raised in 2022 are even more pertinent now.
Linton-on-Ouse is a small, rural village with extremely limited infrastructure and services. There are no appropriate facilities in the immediate vicinity to support a cohort of this size in terms of healthcare, transport connectivity, community integration opportunities or access to essential day-to-day services. The village does not even have a shop.
In addition we understand that during your previous due diligence at this site, serious concerns were raised by the utility companies, about system capacity and capability to provide electricity to the site and lack of capacity of the sewerage treatment works to process additional sewage and remain compliant with environmental regulations. We do not believe that these concerns, which formed part of the reason the site was previously deemed unsuitable, have changed.
It is also reasonable to make the point that this plan will create extra financial burden, which is currently unfunded, on all public service providers and wider agencies providing services such as the police force and health. The proposal would place significant and unsustainable pressure on local provision, while also risking the wellbeing of those accommodated at the site, who would be placed in an isolated setting lacking the support networks they require.
In addition to the many points above and the credible concerns raised by the many residents of this small community, the proposal also clearly contradicts the comments made by the Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP, that migrants should not be housed close to sensitive locations such as schools and nurseries. Both Linton-on-Ouse Primary School and Pre-School Nursery are very close to the former Ministry Of Defence site you plan to use to house significant numbers of adult male asylum seekers.
In short, this is the wrong proposal in the wrong location.
I would ask that you listen to the community of Linton-on-Ouse and the local parish council, the local MP, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, local elected member Cllr Malcolm Taylor and the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith and myself who are united in asking that this proposal is reconsidered and rejected.
Yours sincerely
Carl Les
Leader
A statement from the leader of North Yorkshire Council, Cllr Carl Les - 1 July
It’s important to be clear from the outset that we do not object to the government’s desire to house asylum seekers with dignity in safe and secure accommodation. However, we agree with many of the points made, and the concerns expressed by residents in the hundreds of correspondences we have received already, and we do not believe that Linton–on–Ouse is an appropriate location to house potentially 1,200 single adult males. We share the views of many leading voices in our region that this plan by the Home Office is flawed, that the site is completely inappropriate and that it was found to be so following a thorough investigation only a few years ago. The deterioration of the site only makes the issues raised at that time more relevant.
How it was announced
On behalf of our residents, businesses, partner organisations and, of course, ourselves as the authority responsible for supplying many of your key services, we were seriously disappointed that a media announcement was made by the Home Office before we were notified. This information was released to press the evening before we were informed under an embargo which did not prevent details being published. This was very unhelpful, is not good practice and did not support a coordinated understanding or response to very sensitive information. We have been clear on our position on this with the department.
The Home Office has now published a list of frequently asked questions on the government website.
Our current understanding
We are now having meetings with Home Office officials who have confirmed that while government is ‘minded to’ progress this plan, no decision has yet been made. The Home Office will now begin a period of ‘due diligence’ on their plan, and we will seek to influence that consideration. We are informed that any decision will be made by the end of this year. It should be noted at this point that if they decide to proceed we understand their plan will require planning permission, but it is unlikely this will be for North Yorkshire Council to determine.
Why we believe Linton-on-Ouse is the wrong place
It is the duty of myself, and other publicly elected representatives, to speak and act in the interests and wellbeing of the communities we serve.
In this instance, there has been strong and consistent opposition from the local community, and wider area, to the proposed use of Linton-on-Ouse for such a large number of single male asylum seekers. Those concerns are grounded in the fundamental unsuitability of the location for a development of this scale and nature.
Linton-on-Ouse is a small, rural village with extremely limited infrastructure and services. There are no appropriate facilities in the immediate vicinity to support a cohort of this size in terms of healthcare, transport connectivity, community integration opportunities or access to essential day-to-day services.
It is also reasonable to make the point that this plan will create extra financial burden, which is currently unfunded, on the police force and wider agencies providing services. The proposal would place significant and unsustainable pressure on local provision, while also risking the wellbeing of those accommodated at the site, who would be placed in an isolated setting lacking the support networks they require.
In short, this is the wrong proposal in the wrong location evidenced by the fact the site has been considered and rejected previously on the basis that it is not suitable.
What we have done so far
I have written to the Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, the Deputy Mayor responsible for policing and the Leader of City of York Council, asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the concerns of the residents of Linton-on-Ouse and to agree a joint position in support of them. As a council, we have retained legal counsel to advise on options as we progress.
On behalf of all those raising concerns here we will press government to reconsider this decision, engage meaningfully with us, with the aim that the Home Office come up with a more suitable solution.
We will continue to work with the local parish council, local elected member Cllr Malcolm Taylor and local MP, Sir Alec Shelbrooke, as well as other regional leaders and will update this page and respond individually to as many of your concerns as possible.
I am grateful for your patience as we try and manage the large volumes of correspondence we are receiving so that we can properly understand and try to get answers to the many issues you are raising with us about this Home Office plan.
Cllr Carl Les, Leader of North Yorkshire Council
How to get in touch with the Home Office
You can contact the Home Office using the Direct Communication Unit enquiry form on the government website.
Or by writing to Direct Communications Unit, 2 Marsham Street, London, SW1P 4DF.