In 2025, the government reopened Campsfield House, near Kidlington, as an immigration removal centre for up to 160 men. Now the Home Office has applied to add a further 240 places, taking Campsfield’s capacity to 400 bedspaces, more than doubling its current size.

Despite huge local opposition, including the from the Close Campsfield Coalition​, the Home Office are pressing ahead with the expansion, by sidestepping the local council – Cherwell District Council – and using the Crown Development Route – a fast-track planning system the government can use for its own building projects. Cherwell Local Authority and residents can still comment, but they no longer have the power to refuse the proposal in the first place. ​

You can read about this in much more detail in the blog linked below, where Ally, our Lead Legal Education Officer, explains what’s being proposed, how it’s being pushed through, how it fits a wider drive towards more detention and removals.

But the plans are not yet decided, and there is a way to be heard. A public consultation is open until 11:59pm on Friday 24 July 2026, through the Planning Inspectorate’s Crown Development portal, and anyone can submit a written representation. 

On 1 July, between 7 – 8pm, we will hold an online meeting together with the Close Campsfield Coalition​, to better understand what is being proposed for the expansion of Campsfield Immigration Removal Centre, and how you can make representations against it through the government consultation. This will include resources to support your representation. 

You can learn more about the work of the Coalition to Close Campsfield here.​

Tickets are free, and we encourage you to share the event with your networks and communities. ​​Book using the form below.