The former Dambusters’ HQ has portable cabins placed on its runway as the government moves ahead with its embattled refugee detention centre plan
- Up to 2,000 asylum seekers could be housed at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire
Portable cabins have been placed by crane on the runway at the former Dambusters’ HQ as the Government presses ahead with its plans for a refugee detention centre.
Up to 2,000 asylum seekers could be housed at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire under the Home Office initiative.
There has been fierce criticism of the proposals, which will be subject to a judicial review at the High Court in October. West Lindsey council is opposing the plan, saying the site is ‘not appropriate’.
The 617 Squadron, known as The Dambusters, was formed at the airfield and famed for its mission in May 1943 by 19 Lancaster bombers to destroy three dams in the Ruhr Valley – Germany’s industrial heartland – with ‘bouncing bombs’.
Sarah Carter, of campaign group Save Our Scampton, said of the cabins’ arrival: ‘It’s a bit disrespectful because we’ve got this judicial review pending – what happens if we win it? Then they’ve got to take everything back off at taxpayers’ expense.’
Portable cabins have been placed by crane on the runway at the former Dambusters’ HQ as the Government presses ahead with its plans for a refugee detention centre
Up to 2,000 asylum seekers could be housed at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire under the Home Office initiative. Pictured: A dinghy carrying migrants across the English Channel last week
The 617 Squadron, known as The Dambusters, was formed at the airfield and famed for its mission in May 1943 by 19 Lancaster bombers to destroy three dams in the Ruhr Valley – Germany’s industrial heartland – with ‘bouncing bombs’. Pictured: Dambusters hero wing Commander Guy Gibson with his dog
Tory councillor Roger Patterson said the cabins were likely to be for workmen as work begins to refurbish the buildings.
The grave of a dog owned by Dambusters hero Guy Gibson VC is located there. The black labrador was killed by a car on the night of The Dambusters’ raid. The Red Arrows team was also based at the site.
Campaigners fear the asylum plan could scupper a £300million investment project which includes a museum, Red Arrows’ visitor centre and a hotel. Historians and RAF veterans have written to Home Secretary Suella Braverman urging her to reconsider the ‘alarming’ proposals.
However, a Home Office spokesman said: ‘Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites will end the use of expensive hotels to house those arriving in small boats. We are working hard to deliver these sites as quickly as possible.’
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