No compromise from Home Office over RAF Scampton site, say firm behind redevelopment plans

The firm behind the proposed redevelopment plans at RAF Scampton claims that the Home Office has made no attempt to reach a compromise over the shared use of the site, despite reducing the number of asylum seekers being relocated there.

Earlier this week, the government disclosed that the cap on the number of migrants being relocated to the former airbase has been reduced from up to 2,000 to just 800.

While this led some to believe that Scampton Holdings Limited (SHL) would be able to proceed with its £300 million redevelopment of the site alongside West Lindsey District Council, the company has since confirmed that this is not the case yet.

In March 2022, West Lindsey District Council announced that it was in the process of purchasing the disused airbase from the Ministry of Defence, with the intention to subsequently transfer ownership to SHL.

The company wants to redevelop the site by establishing the UK’s first Red Arrows Visitor Centre, creating a Living Aviation Museum Tourist Attraction, and positioning the site at the core of the A46 Midlands Aerospace Corridor.

This strategic location was expected to shift the epicentre of high-tech investment and innovation toward the county.

However, a spokesperson for SHL explained that there has been “no direct constructive dialogue” with the Home Office, which disrupted the land sale by planning to use the site as an asylum centre.

Scampton Holdings stated: “We are pleased that the combined relentless attempts to engage with the Home Office has resulted in a cap being placed on the number of asylum seekers due to be kept at Scampton, however it is imperative that the positive momentum is continued and talks for a suitable compromise move forward with pace.

“Scampton Holdings have continued to be prohibited from attending any meetings with the Minister or the Civil Service and there has been no direct constructive dialogue or attempts of, yet to achieve some form of compromise that works for Scampton Holdings as well as the Home Office.

“Whilst Scampton Holdings welcomes the news that the numbers for Scampton have been reduced, we are extremely frustrated by the totally inept way that this has been handled by the Home Office to date and the continued refusal to engage with us in a constructive dialogue for compromise is incomprehensible. Amongst other things the waste of public money on litigation is frightening.

“Scampton Holdings is absolutely committed to ensuring that common sense prevails and our £300m levelling up scheme at Scampton goes ahead – so will persevere.”

In response, a spokesperson for the Home Office maintained that the government will continue to provide accommodation for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute, in order to meet its legal obligations.

“We remain committed to housing asylum seekers at Wethersfield and Scampton, and will manage occupancy at the sites while prioritising welfare and integration,” they said.

“We are working closely to listen to the local communities’ views and reduce the impact of these sites, including through providing onsite security and financial support.”

On Wednesday, the National Audit Office (NAO) revealed that the government’s plan to accommodate asylum seekers at four alternative sites is projected to be significantly more expensive than continuing to use hotel rooms.

Specifically, the cost for using four sites — RAF Scampton, RAF Wethersfield in Essex, the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, and former student accommodation in Huddersfield — is estimated to reach £1.2 billion over the next decade.

This figure is £46 million higher than the anticipated cost of using hotels.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has since pledged to use the sites for the “shortest possible time” during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

West Lindsey District Council Leader Trevor Young (Liberal Democrat) stated that the report’s findings reinforced the council’s decision to pursue a High Court judicial review of the asylum centre plans.

Although Mrs Justice Thornton ultimately ruled in favour of the government in December, the council has since filed an appeal. A new court date has been set for June 11 and 12.

“It is incredulous that the large sites introduced to reduce the burden of spend on hotels will actually have the opposite effect,” said Coun Young.

“A staggering £45 million more will be spent at Scampton compared to the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels, and this takes no account of the loss that will be suffered due to lost investment in the site and the effect on local house prices and schools.

“According to the National Audit Office report, this government has spent an incredible £39 million on portable cabins.

“The time and money we have spent taking the Home Office to court could have been spent on our £300 million, once in a generation investment project, bringing impressive wealth and employment opportunities to our area.”

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.

He continued: “The audit findings underscore the seriousness of the issues identified. Other sites, with no planned investment could have been used and the reasons for the selection of the former RAF site, of heritage importance, home of the WW2 Dambusters squadron, should be investigated.”

WLDC’s Director of Regeneration, Planning and Communities Sally Gringrod-Smith also welcomed the report.

She added: “This audit highlights the reality behind the Home Office decisions, not consulting with stakeholders and the way it awarded contracts due to its over ambitious timetable.

“We raised concerns of value for money in May last year when we started judicial review proceedings against the Home Office, and this report has backed up those concerns.

More stories like this delivered straight to your inbox every morning - sign up to The Briefing here.

“The Home Office’s own value for money assessment for Scampton found the initial estimate of the cost or saving compared to hotels would be £5 million less. But the latest assessment said the cost would be £45.1 million more than hotels with the site being used until March 2028.

“The value for money argument is strengthened even more when you consider the Home Office announced a cap on figures at the large sites this week. Although it is still a cause for concern that the Home Office will still retain the 2,000-service user capacity in the Special Development Order that it intends to lay in Parliament.

“It does make us question why the Home Office are continuing to press ahead with plans for a site when there is a huge investment opportunity ready for the former RAF Scampton.”