Battle of Piddington: Government faces legal fight with Oxfordshire villagers over accommodation for 1,200 male asylum seekers

Detailed summary

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner has approved full planning permission for the conversion of MoD Bicester just outside tiny village

The Government is expected to face a court battle over its plans to convert a Ministry of Defence site near a small Oxfordshire village into emergency accommodation for more than 1,200 male asylum-seekers.

Communities Secretary Angela Rayner on Thursday night approved full planning permission for the conversion of MoD Bicester just outside Piddington.

The decision was welcomed by the Home Office, who want to end the use of asylum hotels.

But parish council chairman Tim McNally warned ministers should “absolutely” be braced for a court challenge.

The Government’s plans have faced angry opposition from villagers, who even made a symbolic attempt to declare Piddington, which has a population of about 300 people, independent from the rest of the country.

Mr McNally told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that the village could also apply the new Hillsborough Law.

Once passed, the law would create a legally enforceable duty of candour, compelling public officials and authorities to act transparently when investigations and inquiries take place.

Mr McNally told the programme: “Last night, Andy Burnham was on a podium talking about the violence, sexual violence towards women, and bringing it upon the media industry as their responsibility to manage.

“But the reality is, is that this is exactly what the Government is doing to us here.”

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