A massive thank you to everyone who participated in the recent Planning Inspectorate consultation regarding the government’s plan to more than double the size of Campsfield immigration detention centre in Kidlington, Oxfordshire. Below is a breakdown of the submissions, based on an excellent analysis by Coalition to Close Campsfield.

A total of 260 submissions were received, with only two expressing support for the plan.

Of the 260 submissions, approximately 200 were made by individuals. 39 submissions came from organisations: 13 from Oxfordshire-based groups and 26 from national or non-Oxfordshire organisations.

Among the 13 submissions from Oxfordshire-based organisations, all but one were objections. These objectors included Kidlington Town Council, Cherwell District Council, Oxfordshire County Council, and Oxford Trades Union Council. Of the 26 national and non-Oxfordshire submissions, seven were neutral, while the remaining 19 were objections. Additionally, local MPs Calum Miller (Bicester and Woodstock) and Layla Moran (Oxford West and Abingdon) also submitted their objections.

We have demonstrated to the Planning Inspectorate that the Campsfield expansion plan is deeply flawed and unpopular. The plan raises numerous issues, including its impact on the Green Belt, conflict with the Local Plan, and the incompatibility between a high-security prison and the Oxford Technology Park (part of the Oxford to Cambridge growth arc). The government’s application also fails to demonstrate that expansion is required to address a matter of ‘national importance’. Needless to say, immigration detention causes irreparable damage to individuals, their friends, and communities, and it must end.

Right to Remain calls on the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to immediately instruct the Home Office to scrap its plan to expand Campsfield and Haslar immigration detention centres. Instead, he should deliver hope to everyone and every community, as he promised to the nation.

Our fight is not over. You can still submit your objection to the Haslar expansion plan until 11:59 pm today, Thursday 6th August. We are planning further actions because we cannot let this detention expansion happen – so stay tuned. There is no official timescale for an official response from the Planning Inspectorate, but as ever we will keep you updated.

Finally, a big shout out to the Coalition to Close Campsfield for their brilliant campaign, community engagement, and tenacity. Their press release and full analysis of the consultation responses are available below.

In solidarity, Right to Remain team