Migrant crisis: Braverman faces huge court battle over plan to house asylum seekers at home of Dambusters
Braverman faces huge court battle over plan to house asylum seekers at home of Dambusters
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A legal bid to challenge the Home Office's plan to use former RAF airbases to house asylum seekers has been approved by the High Court.
Braintree District Council challenged the use of RAF Wethersfield to house up to 1,700 men.
Nearby resident Gabriel Clarke-Holland is also supporting the legal action.
Lincolnshire's West Lindsey District Council brought a similar challenge against the Government over plans to use RAF Scampton.
RAF Wethersfield is being used to house asylum seekersPAScampton, which closed in 2023, was the home of the Dambusters.
The squadron conducted a significant night attack to breach Mohne and Edersee using bouncing-bombs developed by English engineer Barnes Wallis.
Mrs Justice Thornton ruled in favour of the two councils.
She said: “The decision to accommodate asylum seekers on the sites may give rise to strong local opinion,” adding that there may also be wider discussions about the welfare of the asylum seekers.
“Those are not, however, matters for the court,” the judge continued.
Local resident Tony Clarke-Holland poses outside of RAF Wethersfield in Essex
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Two out of the 15 grounds could go ahead to a further hearing.
The approved grounds included the use of "emergency" planning powers.
The first 46 asylum seekers arrived at Wethersfield Airfield, which is now used by the Ministry of Defence Police, on Wednesday.
Clarke-Holland, who lives just a stone's throw from the airfield, was particularly unhappy with the situation ahead of the ruling.
Alex Goodman KC, representing Clarke-Holland, claimed members of the far-right group Britain First were protesting near his home on the morning of the arrivals.
A view of RAF Scampton
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Braintree District Council also alleged the Home Office failed to take several issues into account, including access to healthcare and onsite wastewater provisions.
Home Office lawyers said three linked claims should not be allowed to have a full hearing.
Paul Brown KC, for the department, said in written submissions: “There is significant overlap in the grounds in all three claims and the misapprehensions which underpin them.
"None of the three claims raises any genuinely arguable point.”
Both councils previously lost bids for injunctions preventing the use of the large sites by the Home Office.