UK Government Rejects Extension for Bicester Asylum Site Consultation

The Government of the United Kingdom is proceeding with plans to house up to 1,256 single male asylum seekers at Site A of the former MOD Bicester garrison. Utilizing the Urgent Crown Development process to reduce hotel reliance, the government has maintained a strict consultation timeline despite intense local opposition. Housing and Planning Minister Matthew Pennycook rejected a request from MP Callum Biller to extend the representation period, stating the current timeframe is sufficient to balance local interest with the need for a swift decision.

Local authorities and community groups have launched a coordinated resistance. Cherwell District Council formally objected to the proposal, describing the 10-day consultation as rushed and inadequate. The council has committed £20,000 to support a community-led judicial review initiated by Bicester Countryside and Communities CIC. This legal challenge argues that the government unlawfully waived a required Environmental Impact Assessment, citing concerns over contamination and protected wildlife.

Protests have escalated in the nearby village of Piddington, where residents held a symbolic referendum on September 16. In a non-binding vote, 285 residents voted to secede from the UK to form the Principality of Piddington. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy defended the site, asserting that asylum accommodation must be shared fairly across the country and that abandoning the project would be unfair to other communities.