Braintree Council looking for clarity on Wethersfield migrant plans

BRAINTREE Council has written to the Home Office over controversial plans for a migration facility in north Essex.

The council previously revealed it has been approached to turn the former airbase at Wethersfield into a centre to house asylum seekers.

The proposal came at the beginning of March.

Last Friday, March 10, the council met with the Home Office to seek further clarification.

It said it was told by the Home Office that no decision has yet been taken, however they confirmed plans to provide contingency accommodation for asylum seekers on the site are “under consideration, with several government departments involved”.

Now, the council is writing to the Home Office to request "full and detailed" information about the proposals.

A spokesman said: “We are continuing to urgently seek clarification from the Home Office regarding their potential plans to house asylum seekers at the RAF Wethersfield airfield site.

“We met with them again this week and they emphasised that no decision has yet been taken.

“We have sought legal advice and have formally written to the Home Office to request full and detailed information as to the proposals, together with a request for copies of all relevant documentation.

“We await further details from the Home Office.

“In the meantime, the council reserves all legal rights, including the ability to challenge the Home Office on their decision-making and the council's right to consider all available legal remedies, including its ability to seek an injunction.

“We have continued to reiterate that we believe Wethersfield airfield to be an unsuitable site, and our concerns that due to the size of the site, the scale of the development proposed could have a significant adverse impact upon the local community.

“We will continue to keep residents updated on this matter when we know more.”

The Ministry of Justice is also looking at the site as a potential location to build two new "mega prisons".

If it goes ahead, 1,715 male prisoners will be held in each of the prisons, which will be built next to each other.

The MOJ is yet to submit a planning application for the project.