UK councils allowed to challenge gov't plans to host asylum seekers in airfields

By Mehmet Solmaz

BIRMINGHAM, England (AA) — Two regional councils in England have been granted permission by High Court in London on Friday to challenge the government's plans to accommodate asylum seekers in disused airfields.

Braintree District Council brought a legal action to challenge the use of Wethersfield Airfield in Essex to house up to 1,700 men while West Lindsey District Council is challenging similar plans for Royal Air Forces (RAF) Scampton station in Lincolnshire.

In its ruling, the court said that two out of the 15 grounds could go ahead to a further hearing, including on the use of “emergency” planning powers by the Home Office.

The decision comes after the first 46 asylum seekers were brought to the Wethersfield Airfield, around 12 kilometers (8 miles) from Braintree, on Wednesday.

Early in April, Britain also confirmed plans to hold hundreds of asylum seekers and migrants at a barge docked off the Dorset coast in southern England despite intra-party opposition and legal action threats by residents.

Media reports said the barge, called the Bibby Stockholm, has been leased by the government for an initial period of 18 months and will accommodate 500 single adult males while their claims are processed.

An estimated 51,000 migrants are believed to be staying in 395 hotels at a cost of more than £6 million ($7.4 million) per day.