Councillor Mark Robson, Leader of Hambleton District Council, says members have been updated on the individual actions the council has taken to try and stop the home office putting 1500 male asylum seekers into the village north of York.
This includes external legal advice, in response to the Government’s plan to use the former RAF site. He said:
“Cabinet was told that we are now awaiting responses from the Home Office to both the Planning Contravention Notice and the Pre-Action Protocol letter. We expect to have received both responses by early next week.
“At present we continue to understand that no final decision has been taken by Ministers to accommodate asylum seekers at RAF Linton and that we will receive seven days’ notice from the Home Office should they intend to begin moving people onto the site.
“A definitive decision on the council’s next steps is not possible at this point, as we are still awaiting substantive responses to the Planning Contravention Notice and Pre-Action Protocol letter.
“Once these responses are received, they will be carefully considered and assessed alongside the legal advice the council receives before Cabinet agrees on the next steps.
“In the meantime, Local Councillors continue to support and be in dialogue with the local community, on both a one-to-one basis and in their attendance at community meetings.”
MPs call with Home Office cancelled
Meanwhile, the village’s MP, Kevin Hollinrake, said this:
“Along with council and representatives, I was disappointed the weekly Linton-on-Ouse call with the Home Office was cancelled today (June 7)
“Each day that passes without news is another day of worry and uncertainty for the residents of Linton and a lack of an update has no doubt added to this.
“The legal challenge route is being pursued by Hambleton Council is ongoing and has my full support.
“Alongside this, I have had recent conversations with ministers at every level and will continue to lobby the Government on this.
“I will continue to push for these plans to be blocked as well as more information on service user access, a proposed timeline for the site and much more detailed information regarding security measures on site.”
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