£300 million regeneration for RAF Scampton site set to be accelerated after Government ditches asylum centre plan

The £300 million regeneration of RAF Scampton could now be accelerated following the Government's decision to scrap plans to convert the site into an asylum centre.

After 18 months of protests and a lengthy legal battle, the Home Office has officially abandoned its plans to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers at the former airbase near Lincoln, freeing up the site for Scampton Holdings Ltd's planned £300 million regeneration, which West Lindsey District Council now intends to push ahead with.

Lincoln's Labour MP Hamish Falconer announced the news on social media, stating: "I can confirm to Lincoln today that the Conservative plan to use RAF Scampton to house asylum seekers is over.

"This afternoon, the Home Secretary has confirmed that the plan that we inherited has been scrapped. The government will now sell RAF Scampton, and I hope that the council and the investors will buy it."

The news was met with joy by campaigners, who have fought the proposals.

Councillor Trevor Young (Liberal Democrat), leader of WLDC, also welcomed the news, stating: “We have always been clear that the best use
for this historic, key strategic asset was to unlock the potential to drive economic growth and prosperity in our place, for Lincolnshire and beyond.

“Today we can finally put to bed an incredibly difficult period for our community and focus time, energy and resource on this once in a generation opportunity to honour the heritage of this site through regeneration and the delivery of investment in jobs and skills.”

Sally Grindrod-Smith, director of planning, regeneration and communities, added: “Work will now progress at pace to conclude the necessary contracting arranging and secure formal, long term access to the site. In the meantime, it will be important to work with the Home Office to ensure any works already completed on site can be decommissioned and removed sensitively so as to protect the heritage of the site."

She continued: “We recognise this period has been particularly tough for our community very local to Scampton. We are fortunate to have had the support and backing of local people who grasped from day one the huge potential in the future of this site and we want to build on our learning as we move forwards together.

“To this end, we are pleased to announce that working with Scampton Parish Council, a formal taskforce will be led by the Council, engaging all key stakeholders as the masterplan for the site now moves forward. Details of this approach will be developed together, but the principle of sharing information and shaping future plans together will be at the heart of our work.”

Peter Hewitt, chairman of development partner Scampton Holdings Limited, commented: “We must now put this period behind us, roll up our sleeves and work together to unlock the true potential of Scampton for generations to come.

“We look forward to concluding our contract with West Lindsey District Council and moving into a period where we can work both with investors and the local community to achieve something very special in the defence, air and space sector in this unique corner of Lincolnshire.”

A second spokesperson from the firm added: "Scampton Holdings wish to congratulate Hamish Falconer for his sucess and unwavering support.

"We remain committed to delivering the investment proposals. We are particularly keen to begin working with the Home Office on the disposal, on the pre-agreed contractual terms as defined in the public sector tender.

"This is a momentus occasion in the history of the site and we wish to thank the community and WLDC for coming together to lobby for the best future for Scampton."

Gainsborough's Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh reacted to the news on X, formerly known as Twitter, by posting: "Victory. The two-year battle is over. We have won.

"Migrants will not be housed at Scampton and the site will be released 'as soon as practicable'. We want the full regeneration package to go ahead and the site not just sold for housing."